Hello, I am 36 year old male (but look younger but in many ways feel older like an old soul). I was diagnosed with Level 1 autism in April 2026 Autism Awareness Month. I was diagnosed with social anxiety about 10 years now, I received support from NHS Let's Talk (Talking Therapies) service at this point in my life I was unemployed, fed up of going Jobcentre and applying for lots of jobs having a few interviews but struggling with them due to anxiety. I was only only going out with my mum or my sister, I became a bit clingy and had a low mood. Now years on in 2025 I joined a community online that did meet ups went to a Quiz felt completely overwhelmed barely spoke but stayed and went back again next time with a friend, I had previously been to a social event with a meet up group but had walked out early, being an activity I thought would mean less pressure to talk and socialise with strangers. Around the same time a therapist at NHS CHCP suggested i might be autistic following a meditation course, I then began reading a book Unmasking Autism and began to think more and more that I probably am autistic. My knowledge of it was very limited, now I also have been for many years involved in hospital and community radio, and met a newish member who was also autistic although he had outwardly more obvious signs any gaps in conversation with him felt uncomfortable and not awkward, I've read that other autistic and ADHD individuals tend to connect better with each other. I began attending an allotment group weekly in 2017, after several years unemployed secured employment at ASDA. Since then I have done a part-time degree online gaining this in History and Politics recently and during 2026 I have been getting out more on my own. I feel I'm unemployed and want to leave but not sure I want to work in retail at all, I know I would be happier to work in a quieter environment were organising things was key, maybe in a small office, library, museum, a store which does not require over 18's age checks as it doesn't sell restricted items. I have a good eye for detail, work well on my own as long as know what I'm doing and can hyper focus on tasks for hours. I've inquired about an Level 2 accounting course, I prefer part-time work so I can do my radio station volunteering. Unemployment is high especially in the North of England, I don't want to step down to nothing, however I'm capable of something classed as more skilled, but I hear underemployment is very common. For a while the sameness of the job became a comfort now it's rather dull.
Has anyone used the National Careers Service before?
