How Cameron found purpose and friendship through employment
Cameron’s story as a powerful example of how inclusive employment can change lives, offering neurodivergent people the opportunity to feel valued, contribute to their communities, and reach their full potential.
When Cameron first met Inclusive Employment Consultant, Caroline Giess, in late 2021, life had been far from easy. Before that, Cameron was at college, but his school and college years were tough. He struggled with anxiety, found it hard to make friends, and often felt isolated and excluded. Then came the Covid lockdown, which only made things worse, taking away what little confidence he had.
It was Cameron’s mum who first reached out to Caroline. When they met, Cameron was shy, nervous, and relied on his mum being by his side. Caroline began by creating a vocational profile to understand Cameron’s skills, experience, and interests. At first, Cameron wasn’t sure what he wanted, but together they narrowed it down to part-time retail or hospitality work, close to home so he could travel independently.
Cameron attended several interviews with Caroline by his side, and although he performed well, he couldn’t quite secure a role. Meanwhile, Caroline was speaking with HR leads at The Breakfast Club, a chain of cafés opening a new branch in Chelmsford. They were open to offering opportunities to neurodiverse people, and Caroline immediately thought of Cameron as the café was just a 10-minute walk from his house. Working closely with The Breakfast Club team, Caroline helped set up work experience for Cameron - just four hours a week over a month, giving him the chance to ease into the role, build confidence, and demonstrate his potential.
Cameron quickly impressed the team. Although there were no permanent vacancies, they didn’t want to lose him, so they created a paid role for him, starting with four hours a week as a Kitchen Porter. Cameron worked hard and proved himself as a real asset in the kitchen, even during the intense Christmas rush. His reliability stood out, he was always on time, happy to work weekends, stay late, and take extra shifts. Soon, he was given more responsibilities and extra hours when the café was busy. Now Cameron works 20-30 hours some weeks, and the team knows they can count on him.
Getting this job has been life-changing for Cameron. “I’ve learnt so much more here than I ever did in education,” he says. “It’s been a much happier experience.” He lights up when talking about his colleagues: “It’s cheerful, fun, and happy - everyone pulls together as a team. They feel like family to me.”
I couldn’t have done this without Caroline from ECL. She got me back to living a proper life. I love my job, it's fun, and happy - everyone pulls together as a team. They feel like family to me.
Cameron, Kitchen Porter at The Club Cafe
For the first time, Cameron feels included and valued, and his confidence has soared. He’s made friends, joined social events, and he even took on a 50km ultra endurance event along the Thames, which he trained for and completed alongside his colleagues. “Oh, my word it was such an achievement,” he exclaimed, “I could barely function the next day, my legs were so wobbly, but I still went to work.”
The following year, he pushed himself even further, tackling a 100km walk over two days. This time he travelled to London on his own, meeting new Breakfast Club colleagues from other branches along the way. “I couldn’t have imagined doing a challenge like this before getting my job,” he commented “but I was fortunate to do it alongside my colleagues the first time, which gave me the confidence to take a risk and go it alone the following year.”
I couldn’t have imagined doing a challenge like this before getting my job. I was fortunate to do it with my colleagues first, which gave me the confidence to do it alone the following year.
Cameron
The benefits go beyond confidence. Cameron has lost four stone since starting work, feels healthier, and is financially more independent. He’s saving to eventually move into his own place and enjoys treating himself occasionally. He credits Caroline for helping him turn things around: “I couldn’t have done this without her. She got me back to living a proper life.”
Today, Cameron doesn’t need Caroline’s support, but she still pops into the café to see him thriving. His mum is thrilled too - her son now has purpose, a social life, and an independent future.
Cameron’s story highlights the power of paid employment. From a shy young man who needed his mum by his side, to someone who travels to London for ultra challenges with new friends, Cameron has come a very long way.