Matthew, a former pupil of Lakeside and Pontville schools, recently graduated from Salford University with a commendable 2:1 degree in Geography. Denise, Matthew’s mother, reached out to us following his graduation, filled with pride. Getting to this point hasn’t been easy, but with the support of professionals and his mum’s unwavering support, reaching this milestone has been momentous. Little did they know that there would be even more to celebrate.
The beginning
Matthew, aged 8, struggled in mainstream school. His disruptive behaviour led to a fixed-term exclusion, which led Denise to explore SEN provisions. During a visit to Lakeside School, she witnessed a calm, nurturing environment where children with SEN were actively learning. Not long after, Matthew joined and, here, he wasn’t disruptive anymore; he was engaging in sessions and, for the first time, flourishing academically.
Lakeside’s support extended to the family, with effective communication and strategies for behaviour management. Soon after, the time to transition to secondary school came, and Pontville School was Matthew’s next destination. He continued to achieve success with support from the team, who praised
him continually. During this time, personal challenges arose, notably his mum’s cancer diagnosis, but with school supporting him and his family, the care ensured his emotional wellbeing.
After completing his GCSEs in Maths and English, Matthew secured a spot at a local college. There, he earned a Level 2 diploma in Art and Design, followed by a Level 3 award in Graphic Design. His affinity for the outdoors guided his decision to pursue a degree in Geography, beginning at the Foundation level.
Graduation day
Fast forward to graduation day, Denise captured the photo of Matthew in his cap and gown, proud as can be as he completed his degree. Quickly, while standing tall, she got back in contact with our teams to thank them for laying down the foundations of his success. The dialogue and support between us started again, with Denise elated, but also expressing concerns about Matthew’s job prospects due to his autism and ADHD. Denise connected with our Futures Team, who introduced Matthew to the comprehensive support offered by our Futures programme and highlighted that employers actively seek out people like Matthew for their unique talents, skills and abilities. The team’s Talent Manager, David, worked closely with Matthew and Denise to find out Matthew’s true aspirations. They then began meticulously exploring job opportunities within the rail industry, Matthew’s dream industry.
Despite facing initial setbacks, Matthew displayed unwavering dedication and commitment. With the Futures Team’s steady guidance in the background, he diligently honed his interview skills and maintained transparent communication with potential employers. David’s unwavering support boosted Matthew’s determination, leading to his persistence and eventual success.
More Milestones
Matthew then achieved another significant milestone: securing a coveted job offer from Network Rail. Denise was overjoyed and immensely proud of her son’s swift achievement, which was accomplished within a mere three months of engagement with our Futures programme. Additionally, Matthew continued to receive invaluable guidance from Futures to support him to disclose his condition to HR, ensuring a smooth transition into employment. Looking ahead, Futures committed to assisting Matthew with an Access to Work application, alleviating the financial burdens associated with starting a new job.
What's next
This remarkable journey from school to college, graduation and now employment is a testament to Matthew and the transformative impact of tailored support and advocacy from our expert teams. The unwavering support from teachers, therapists, our Futures programme and working in partnership with Matthew and his mum, has enabled him to navigate obstacles and secure a fulfilling job aligned with his aspirations. His success brings immense joy to his family and to us and inspires hope for other neurodivergent individuals seeking meaningful employment opportunities too.
Proud mum
Hear how Denise, Mathew's mum, was in your exact position, and now she sits proud as can be.Watch now.