Liam Jones, aged 21, from Stoke-on-TrentLiam Jones has overcome huge difficulties with social skills and communication to undergo training, get a job and lead an independent life. Liam has Asperger Syndrome, meaning he has had to learn how to communicate and to build his confidence.
“I feel that people accept me as an individual now and that the difficulties I need to overcome are the same as everyone else’s,” he says. “I’m particularly proud that I defied the experts who said I would never be able to hold down any type of job or live independently, because I’m doing both.”
After leaving school in Portsmouth, Liam found he was unable to get a job. After his family moved to Stoke five years ago, he gained work experience with a company, but was bullied by colleagues. Training in life skills helped him to regain his courage and he started another work placement at Stoke-on-Trent City Council. There he was given a coach and mentor, leading to him having his first employment contract as a post room assistant, responsible for sorting internal post for 4,000 staff.
Since starting a Life Skills programme at MORE Training in October 2002, he has gained the following qualifications: NVQ Level 1 and 2 in Business Administration, CLAIT Levels 1 and 2 and ASDAN Level 1. He has also complete in-house training courses in Disability Discrimination Act awareness, Deaf Awareness and Freedom of Information Act awareness.
Liam is now living independently of his parents, moving into his own home with his sister. He says: “Due to the skills I’ve gained , it means that I can be a contributing member of society.”