Connor's Connect to Work story

Connor was referred to Connect to Work by his Supported Internship tutor in September 2025.

At the time, Connor was 20 years old and volunteering at FareShare. He had also completed a Supported Internship with Lily's Social Kitchen. Although he wanted to work in retail, he had not yet started looking for paid employment.

How we helped

Connor worked with his employment specialist, Ella, to develop his job-search skills and build his confidence.

Together, they searched for jobs that matched his interests and strengths. Ella created a simple job-search template that helped Connor find and review vacancies on his own.

Connor is also a talented artist. He shared examples of his artwork with employers by linking his personal website to his CV, helping them learn more about his skills and interests.

Within three months, Connor was invited to his first interview for a paid role. Ella attended with him to provide support.

Although he was not offered the job, Connor felt proud that he had completed the interview and gained valuable experience.

Soon afterwards, Connor found and applied for his dream job as a Retail Assistant at Hobbycraft in Ashford.

He was invited to an interview and impressed the employer with his confidence, enthusiasm and preparation.

The employer was so impressed that they created a role especially for Connor, even though the original vacancy had already been filled.

To help Connor settle into work, an Autism Communication Passport was created. This helped his employer understand his strengths and identify any support he might need, such as having a mentor available while learning new tasks.

Connect to Work also helped Connor with travel arrangements so he could get to work.

Connor's success

Connor quickly settled into the role. He learned by working alongside colleagues and soon became more independent. He also completed till training, something he had been nervous about at first.

Today, Connor is thriving in his role. He has grown in confidence, developed new skills and is enjoying working in a job he loves.

Connor said:

"When I first started with this service, I was very nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I can honestly say it helped me a lot. My job coach, Ella, has been kind, supportive and understanding of my needs."

Connor's employer said:

"Connor stood out because of how well prepared he was for his interview and his positive attitude. In just a few weeks, he has become more confident and proactive. We are excited to see how he continues to grow in his role."

What Connor's mum said:

"The support has been amazing for Connor. Ella understands him really well and has helped him not only find work, but also build his confidence."