‘I’m taking opportunities that come my way’: Northampton man with autism is pandemic keyworker after support from Mencap

A Northampton man has been a keyworker throughout the Covid-19 pandemic after charity Mencap helped him to find a job.

Tim was diagnosed with autism in 2018 and, before starting a traineeship, had been out of work for a year.

With support from the Mencap - a charity for people with learning disabilities, Tim got a role working in the Clipper Logistics distribution warehouse, picking and packaging items.

He now he’s now taking on more responsibilities like admin duties and has completed training to be a company first-aider.

Tim said: “Mencap helped me when I first started, and I know what I went through, so I want to help other people.

“I understand people with autism, or people trying to find a place to fit in.

“There are people willing to help, like Mencap, and Clipper have gone out of their way to help me too. So don’t give up… I never put myself up for things before.

“Opportunities came up and I couldn’t take them up. Now I have.”

For Tim, his company has been flexible when he has found things challenging, like when the warehouse continued to operate through lockdown everyone had to wear face masks - something that could be very stressful for Tim - but the company was understanding and set aside a quiet corner for Tim and other staff to go to, take off their masks and take deep breaths.

As this week is Learning Disability Work Week Mencap is shining a light on the role of people they have supported into work and the contribution they have made to the pandemic response.

Mark Capper, for Mencap, added: “The world of work has been thrown upside down by Covid, now is the time for employers to think differently about who they hire.

“This year every employer has had to adapt and innovate to support their workforce through this unprecedented time. Including people with different experiences and skills will only enhance businesses and their offer.

“People with a learning disability and autism can work and want to work and with the right support they can also make fantastic employees - with some even working as the key workers we’ve all relied on to keep things moving. They just need a chance to show they can do it.”

Through its employment programmes, Mencap supports people with a learning disability and autism to become more independent and develop their employability, as well as helping people to find work placements.

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