Summary
A man with autism, Tom Boyd, who volunteered at Waitrose for four years, lost his unpaid job but has now found paid work at Asda. After public support on social media, Waitrose also offered him a paid position, which he will begin in the new year. His mother met with a government minister to discuss bringing back a program to help people in similar situations.
Key Facts
- Tom Boyd, who is autistic, had volunteered at a Waitrose supermarket for over four years.
- His volunteer role ended after his mother requested paid hours for him, prompting public support.
- Asda offered Tom a paid job, which he has started, and Waitrose also offered a paid role beginning next year.
- Tom required a support worker for his tasks due to his autism.
- His mother, Frances, discussed the situation with a government minister to advocate for job support programs for autistic individuals.
- A program called Access to Work Plus, which offered ongoing support for employment, ended in March 2024.
- The government plans to invest £1 billion annually by the end of the decade for employment support for people with disabilities.
