Company Corner: Social Cipher

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Company Corner: Social Cipher

Here at Patchwork Hub, we believe it’s important to share the work of revolutionary technology organisations. Continuing our Company Corner series, we recently caught up with Vanessa Castañeda Gill from Social Cipher. Social Cipher is a game-based social-emotional learning platform for youth of all neurotypes and the professionals who work with them.

What is Social Cipher?

Social Cipher is a game-based social-emotional learning platform for youth of all neurotypes and the professionals who work with them. In other words, we build space pirate video games to help youth understand themselves and those around them. Our software also helps the professionals who work with them better understand their students’ social-emotional well-being.

What led to the creation of Social Cipher?

I started this company because of my own experiences as a neurodivergent individual (autism/ADHD). After 6 years of being ashamed of my conditions, I realised through the power of play and imagination that I never needed to be fixed; I just needed a different way to learn. I started Social Cipher to make sure that every young person finds that truth.

Why are accessibility and disability important to your company?

As a 50% neurodivergent team, disability inclusion is super important for us. The reason we’re able to create such nuanced characters and moving stories in our games is that we include neurodivergent voices in our team from the beginning. We believe in the idea of ‘nothing about us without us’ and test with neurodivergent youth because they’re the experts in their own experiences.

We know that with the right support, folks of all neurotypes can absolutely thrive. If that means flexible/remote work, having tasks organized in a visual manner, or simply being able to turn your camera off during video meetings, it's a no-brainer. We encourage those supports, even if it's not the "norm”, whatever this means.

Do you have any tips/advice on how to create a more inclusive working environment?

Definitely! Here are a couple of things that Social Cipher has done to build a 50% neurodivergent team:

In job descriptions, include neurodivergence as a strength/something you're looking for.
Not assuming that every neurodivergent person wants to be a consultant on their experiences (unless they're hired as a neurodiversity consultant, of course). It's more about leaving the opportunity open if they'd like to give feedback/share about it.
Getting feedback from neurodivergent team members on your hiring process!
Encourage folks to give feedback on current processes and how they work out for them. Do your processes work well with their own learning styles/preferred ways that they process information?
At the interview stage, we're working on incorporating accommodations into the interview itself! As a neurodivergent person myself, when I've been on the applicant side of things, this step has been a huge indicator to me of a company's inclusivity.
These accommodations during interviews can include:
- Identifying audibly who is talking/asking questions.
- Sending questions in advance.
- Writing questions in chat as we ask them.
- Closed captions.
- Sending questions afterwards for more elaboration.
- Camera off/phone call instead.

What do you think is the biggest challenge your industry will face in the next 5 years?

I believe there exists polarization in the neurodiversity space. The thing is, we all want the same things for neurodivergent folks: to thrive and live happy, healthy lives where people feel supported. The issue is that there's disagreement on how to achieve those goals. There are some amazing disability advocates and organizations doing the work every day to make progress on that though, and with the rise of the Neurodiversity Movement. I have faith that we'll see a lot of positive change in the coming years.

What have you found most helpful in the progression of your company?

We meet monthly to do what we call product roadmap refreshes, which allows us to look at a visual timeline and see all of the goals of each department lined up together in one place. It really allows us to be real about our goals and what may have to change, and it bridges the natural divides that occur between the product and business sides of our company. We also love doing show and tells during our core team meetings – we have super talented and passionate people on our team. This really helps us bond when we share our passions and interests!

Is there anything else you’d like us to share?

Our team is full of a bunch of amazing geeks! We have a fossil hunter, an escape room builder, a master cosplayer, and many more interesting talents on the team. The creativity and passion we have is truly this team's greatest strength (as a bonus, they're incredibly fun to work with!)

Want to find out more about Social Cipher? Check out the links below:

Social Cipher’s Website

Follow Social Cipher on Instagram

Follow Social Cipher on Twitter

Follow Social Cipher on LinkedIn

Published: 4th October 2022

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I found a job through Patchwork Hub – a senior level position with a leading financial services company. Throughout the process I felt supported by very dedicated people, both at Patchwork Hub and the company, and it was really refreshing to be able to openly talk about my health condition and not feel like I had to actively avoid the subject. Their support was simply invaluable.

Ditte Olsen

Patchworker

I applied for a job through Patchwork Hub and secured employment at a FTSE 100 company. That is so fantastic, not just for my bank account and CV but also my confidence. Without Patchwork Hub – both its accessibility and the support and understanding they offer– this would not have happened for me. A platform taking a proactive approach to raising awareness amongst employers, and approaching disability inclusion in a way where we're not othered, is transformational.

Rock Bell

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub are leading a critical culture change in work and health for employers as we move into our 'new normal'. Bringing together global businesses, charities and experts to create accessible work opportunities for those currently excluded by traditional work practises, and challenging assumptions around a hidden pool of talent.

Lord Dennis Stevenson

As a company committed to diversity and equality of opportunity, we are excited to be partnering with Patchwork Hub and are looking forward to further building our relationship with Beth and the business. This platform allows us to connect with highly-skilled individuals we might not otherwise reach. Patchwork Hub hosts a growing pool of very capable and diverse talent which offers businesses unique recruitment potential, while helping to strengthen a company’s social impact.

St James's Place

FTSE 100 employer

I secured employment with a FTSE 100 company through Patchwork Hub. I would like to thank Beth and the team for helping me through the recruitment process and being there to give advice and support throughout my placement. It was refreshing to be honest about my condition and know that the company was ‘disability aware’ and would be inclusive and understanding too. This meant that I was able to focus on my job, learn from my colleagues and feel part of the team. I would advise others to make the most of this unique platform, its placement schemes and the opportunities they provide.

Ben Pearse

Patchworker

Patchwork Hub is an incredible organisation, making great strides towards bridging the gap between employers and ‘the UK’s hidden talent pool’. This is not limited to the one million disabled people in the UK navigating access to traditional job roles but extends across society to all those facing barriers. Patchwork Hub is where employees, who are experiencing the challenge of skills shortages, can come to unlock this talent pool, equally supporting employers and employees, and enabling society as a whole to thrive.

Q5

Annabel Tonge, Q5 Director (Employer)

Patchwork Hub's work will be invaluable to anyone for whom conventional work is not feasible. Having been suffering with health issues over the last few months myself and coming from a family of carers, mental illness sufferers, and disability, I've experienced firsthand the impact Patchwork Hub has on real lives. As well as offering employment opportunities, the unique offerings of community and the upcoming freelancing platform really set Patchwork Hub apart. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how valuable work-from-home opportunities are, and Patchwork Hub has been ahead of the curve in their aim to provide working opportunities for as many people as possible.

Mia Testa

Featured Patchworker, Oxford University

Lauren Hazel Keane

Patchworker, Digital Marketing

Patchwork Hub is THE next-gen employment platform that's placing accessibility first - something that many companies in the same space should be looking up to.

WithVR

Gareth Walkom, CEO

Working with Patchwork Hub was an amazing insight into a startup leading the culture change in the world of work. Beth is extremely passionate and incredibly knowledgeable, and her start-up is providing critical information for companies looking to become more accessible and inclusive. The world of work has permanently changed following the pandemic, and Patchwork Hub provides a great insight into what the future of work should look like.

Lucas Jones

Digital Marketing Executive

I think Patchwork Hub's ethos is really remarkable and special. Especially during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on. during times like these (Covid), where the need for accessible work has become more evident than ever, shining a light on the work they do is doubly important. I can only see their mission becoming more and more essential as time goes on.

Natalie Vriend

Featured Patchworker, University of Oxford

Disability inclusion is not a chore or cost, it's a massive business opportunity. We're so thrilled to be working with Patchwork Hub as a disability-owned business and leader in this space, ensuring we are doing all we can to attract and retain diverse talent.

2Gether-International

Keevin O'Rourke, Managing Director | Startup Accelerator & Venture Fund (Employer)

Company Corner: Social Cipher

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