Tim is a huge Doctor Who fan and loves 80s music, especially Queen. His favourite Queen song is ‘The Show Must Go On’, which perfectly encapsulates his positive mindset throughout his job-hunting journey. 

Before moving into his own home with our support in December 2019, Tim used to live in Coventry where he didn’t ever feel quite at home. 

“I didn’t feel like I was at home as much as I do now. I guess you just know when you’re in the right place.” 

Tim had been looking for work for a long time, but the pandemic made the process extremely hard. Tim is autistic, so it’s important he has plenty of support from his employers to get him started. He attended regular sessions with SeeAbility’s Ready, Willing, and Able supported employment team, learning new skills and making his CV more desirable. 

After sending numerous applications to various places, Tim started working at a clothes shop in July 2022. He was delighted to get the role, but soon it became clear that he wasn’t going to get the right support from the store’s management and he struggled to keep up with the workload. He found himself stuck in the stock room, unsure of what he was supposed to be doing, and isolated from his colleagues. The shop failed to recognise that Tim’s strengths were all around interpersonal relationships and interacting with customers. He gave it a few months, but nothing changed. He left in October. 

Several more months of job hunting followed. More work coach sessions, applications, interviews, declines, and then even more applications. He was supported at every step of the way by his support team and employment coach. 

Tim is a history lover, so applied to Oxford Castle and Prison to become a tour guide. He felt the interview went well, but unfortunately, they chose someone else. It was a disappointment, but he kept a positive attitude throughout the whole process. The show must go on, after all. 

“I just kept going and never gave up hope.”  

Tim then shifted his focus from retail and started applying for positions at local fast food restaurants. He quickly found an advert for McDonald’s. He applied and prepared for the interview with the support of Ready, Willing, and Able, focusing on interview practice to ensure he could showcase his knowledge and communication skills to employers. 

Tim got the job and he couldn’t be happier. He started in August 2023 in a part-time position, working up to 6 hours a day every weekend. Tim mainly handles front-of-house duties, where he can interact with customers and use those interpersonal skills that all his friends and family know him for. He's found immense support from his colleagues, allowing him to comfortably carry out tasks and engage with customers. 

It’s clear the difference the right support makes. Tim finally feels like he has a job where he can thrive. He has more freedom, he has a great relationship with his manager and colleagues, and he’s not stuck in a stock room like he was at his previous employer. 

Rasha in our Ready, Willing and Able team told us: 

“Tim’s transformation has been remarkable, his confidence has skyrocketed. You can see it in his proactive approach to job seeking, improved sense of responsibility, and increased motivation. Having a steady income has not only allowed him to be more sociable but also enabled him to go out and do the things he enjoys.” 

Tim is thrilled with his newfound independence and the ability to afford more things thanks to his earnings. He loves visiting London and exploring new places. 

“Ultimately, I would like to move to my own place, and live a comfortable life close to my family and friends. I believe that I’m on the right path for this!”