Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
10Foot issue on sale now - featuring Banksy, TOX & more.
BUY NOW
Activism

These people quit their jobs to help neurodivergent adults get the support they need

Nickel Support, in south London, works with 100 trainees every week, building confidence and skills.

Nickel Support now employs 30 people. Credit: Nickel Support CIC

A company supporting neurodivergent adults a week into employment has its eyes on expansion after a £35,000 investment from Big Issue Invest, the investment arm of the Big Issue.

Created after its two founders saw people with learning difficulties not getting enough help, Nickel Support CIC now works with over 100 trainees a week, helping neurodivergent adults and adults with learning difficulties.

After working for over 20 years combined in the disability sector, Nick Walsh and Elena Nickola quit their jobs and started the company to give respect and opportunities to people who might not get them otherwise.

Nickel Support
With a new hub, Nickel Support hopes to help even more people. Image: Nickel Support CIC

Based in Carshalton, south London, Nickel Support now employs 30 people. But with the new investment, Nickola and Walsh have their eyes on a new hub in nearby Cheam, which will help them give training and opportunities to more people.

Walsh said: “I am extremely proud of what Nickel Support has become.

“We offer an individualised service and this in turn has meant we have seen massive skills and confidence developments of the trainees over the past few years.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Anabel Feria Dominguez, investment manager at Big Issue Invest, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to be able to support an incredible organisation such as Nickel Support. I am excited to watch them grow from strength to strength!”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

View all
Police pay out £2.5k over wrongful arrest of man who shouted 'who elected him' at King Charles ceremony
King Charles
Protest

Police pay out £2.5k over wrongful arrest of man who shouted 'who elected him' at King Charles ceremony

How Canada's next prime minister Mark Carney came to be inspired by Big Issue
Mark Carney is set to be the new Canadian prime minister
Canada

How Canada's next prime minister Mark Carney came to be inspired by Big Issue

Japanese atomic bomb survivor Jiro Hamasumi: 'Nuclear weapons must not coexist with humanity'
Nuclear disarmament

Japanese atomic bomb survivor Jiro Hamasumi: 'Nuclear weapons must not coexist with humanity'

Fats Timbo: 'It was hard growing up with dwarfism – but I'm going to change the world'
Fats Timbo
Disability activism

Fats Timbo: 'It was hard growing up with dwarfism – but I'm going to change the world'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.