George from Yeovil has transformed from a quiet individual to a confident presenter, sharing his experiences to help others understand autism better
Yeovil: George, an autistic man, is celebrating a huge milestone. He’s landed his first paid job, and it’s all thanks to his amazing support team. Since finishing college in 2017, they’ve been right by his side, helping him gain the skills he needs to live more independently.
With their encouragement, George has taken on volunteer roles at his local library and a charity shop. He’s even started a routine of swimming and meeting friends for lunch, which is fantastic for his social life.
When new training requirements came about for health and social care staff, George’s team saw a chance for him to shine. They encouraged him to share his experiences as an autistic person, which would not only help others but also boost his own skills.
This training is unique because it’s created and delivered by autistic individuals. After discussing it, George decided to jump in and become a co-trainer. He realized that sharing his story could really help others understand autism better.
Even though he had never spoken in front of a group before, George turned out to be a natural presenter. When a job opened up at Somerset Care for an Expert with Lived Experience Co-Trainer, he applied and got it!
Now, George is not just sharing his story; he’s also leading training sessions for his colleagues. He wears his staff badge with pride and even manages a bus ride of over an hour to get to the training center. That’s a big deal for him!
His journey into employment has really boosted his confidence. His support team has noticed how much he’s grown and how independent he’s become.
Amanda, one of his original support team members, now trains alongside him. She says the feedback from attendees has been fantastic. George has truly become the star of the show, and they’re all so proud of how far he’s come.
