Our Team
Our Team
Donna, CEO
Donna helped set up Autus, and so has been around since January 2013. Her role includes Management, Fundraising, Quality Assurance and Programme Design. She also gets to work directly with our service users because she is a qualified trainer and NVQ Assessor.
Dawn, Head of Learning and Development
Since moving to the UK in 2013, Dawn has worked with Hao2 then AUTUS as a Learning and Development Manager and has facilitated projects, developed materials for training, delivered training programs and contributed to the organisation’s innovative development using immersive platforms. As AUTUS has continued to grow Dawn has been given additional responsibilities in November 2017, and now also contributes to the day to day running of the charity with the CEO.
Gina, Learning and Development Manager
Gina manages the delivery of Autus' training and skills development programmes and leads the team of mentors and volunteers. She has more than 25 years of experience in personal development, coaching, and training design and facilitation so the role fits in well with her knowledge and background.
Jo, Employer Engagement Manager
Jo works for Autus on a part-time basis. She is an experienced Learning and Development Consultant specialising in identifying learning needs and sourcing appropriate learning initiatives.
Jo’s work with Autus involves learner progression and employer engagement. She connects service users with employers to create opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships, volunteer work or paid employment.
Favourite part of the job:
“To make a successful partnership between service users and employers which can work out to be mutually beneficial.”
Hobbies:
“Reading, dancing, music, baking and having fun with family and friends.”
Helene (Kitty), Session Leader
Helene (Kitty) joins Autus with over 20 years experience in Virtual Worlds. A session leader, Kitty develops and implements programs designed to enhance the virutal users experience and improve their knowledge base, while also improviing interactive and social skills. The core of these sessions aim to help the learner gain confidence in their abilities to be independant.
Favourite part of the job:
“Sharing the excitement of a completed project with my learners.”
Hobbies:
“Competition cooking, photography, hiking, and growing vegetables.”
Ross, Session Leader
Ross is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician and qualified teacher who has worked with Autus and its affiliates in a variety of capacities. He has experience with both formal and informal educational settings having developed successful technology-based courses for a wide age range, as well as providing pastoral care within a thriving modern school and as a former member of the Hampshire Youth Services. Ross also works in a freelance capacity on commissioned 3D design work for virtual worlds.
Darshan, Mentor
Darshan uses his 3D modelling skills to support training sessions and teach others to use the virtual world for learning and development. He helps people with job-seeking and works with other mentors to run the Job Club. He also helped to create the learning environments that we use for roleplay and simulation, and supports users with tasks such as developing their interview and budgeting skills. His aim is to support learners in setting and achieving their career goals.
James B., Projects Officer
James first got involved with Autus after being directed to their 'videogame design course' by the job centre back in 2014. It turned out there had been a misunderstanding of just what 'virtual teaching environment' meant, but having enjoyed the employability course nonetheless he went on to do work experience with the IT team at Hao2.eu Ltd before becoming a volunteer for Autus. Since then he has mentored, done website maintenance and any other task might come up.
James W., Mentor
Before working for Autus James was a Young Ambassador, florist and barrister assistant for Tomorrow’s People Trust. As a young person he discovered a passion for helping others in the virtual and physical worlds. He met the Hao2 team at a Digital Inclusion event and shortly after undertook one of their virtual world programmes called 3D Connections for Work. He accomplished a lot on this course, and ended up securing part-time employment teaching and supporting users. As an Autus mentor he has helped run projects where people develop skills for employment using our 3D virtual world. He currently leads the weekly Job Club.
Nathen Batten, Autus Ambassador
As our ambassador, Nathen represents Autus at meetings and events. He gives talks to organisations and employers about autism, what Autus does, and the benefits of using our virtual environment. He attended college for two terms and applied for some jobs, but nothing came in before his work with Hao2 and Autus, the Hao2eu Foundation. He has done some courses and work experience, and worked his way up to his present role.