Liam’s story

Liam was adopted at nine weeks old and has struggled with significant personal family issues, needing support throughout their education journey. They didn’t like to mix with people or even make eye contact with those who were unfamiliar. They were, through no fault of their own, insular and shut off from the world. Their self-belief and enthusiasm for life were at rock bottom.

It wasn’t until an autistic spectrum disorder diagnosis when they were 17 that Liam could begin to understand themselves a little better. A course of counselling opened up a whole new viewpoint and soon afterwards Liam became a student at the charity My Life’s specialist further education college My Life Learning.

Initially, Liam simply had aspirations to meet people outside of their family home, yet quickly realised they wanted to increase their qualifications and gain experience that would help get them into work.

A plan was put in place to help Liam achieve this, improving their level of English and Maths, getting their skillset “job-ready,” helping them develop initiative, cope with change better and improve their expressive and social skills. Being given work experience opportunities and the chance to socialise helped hugely with this.

After excelling in their studies, Liam undertook work experience here at The Stable Door Café & Ice Cream Parlour where they rapidly progressed in their work, as well as gaining a vastly increased sense of confidence and self esteem.

Following this success, in April 2021 we were delighted to offer Liam an 18-month Catering and Hospitality Apprenticeship, with an additional day of college work at a local Further Education College.

With My Life still on hand to help when needed, Liam’s apprenticeship will equip them with the skills they need to be a success in the future and includes a training programme to increase their employability.

Liam now takes on all the roles within the café expected of a staff member. Very importantly, their and our vision isn’t that they stay at The Stable Door forever, but that they get the courage and confidence to spread their wings elsewhere.

Liam says:

“I’ve always worried about being thrown into a job with no preparation. Because I got that preparation here, I knew I could come into work, be around people who I felt comfortable with and get stuck into the job.

It’s a great place to work and I have to say it makes such a difference when you get paid at the end of it - I’m saving up for a holiday.

I want to build a career now and this is such a good start, I think an employer will see the apprenticeship as something that’s a real positive on my CV.”

Liam’s mum Sharon adds:

“My Life and The Stable Door changed Liam’s life completely. They are not the same person that started here – they are more confident, they’ll look people in the eye.

The last six months in particular they have completely blossomed and we can begin to think about how they might live and work independently in the future.”

For more information about My Life and how the charity supports its members through employment, call 01257 472900 or email info@my-life.org.uk.