Young people with learning disabilities are achieving.

Against the odds, young people with learning disabilities are breaking through and reaching their aspirations with specialist support from Linkage College, which is a part of Linkage Community Trust.

Matthew Coulbeck, aged twenty, has faced the challenges of living with Aspergers Syndrome. The prospect of getting a job and living independently had always been an uphill challenge due to the often limited opportunities and support for people with learning disabilities and in many cases, the misconception that people with learning difficulties may not have the capabilities or skills to look after themselves let alone to gain employment.

“I couldn’t always talk to people and found it difficult to be around them. I was always very anxious,” said Matthew.  Despite many challenges Matthew, a former student who accessed the One Year Transition Programme, a newly developed course at Linkage College in Grimsby, a specialist college for people with learning difficulties; has secured a job in catering which he loves. He added, “I knew I wanted to work in catering. After going on a catering course and trying out different work experience placements the college helped me to find what I want to do and I feel confident”.

When Matthew who lives in Tetney in Grimsby first moved to the specialist college, it was a very daunting experience. Matthew originally had attended a mainstream college and was part of a catering course; however he felt that he was not given the specialist support he needed to enable him to progress. Although he completed the first term at the mainstream college the situation later resulted in him remaining at home on a daily basis with a feeling of low confidence and self esteem. Matthew moved to the specialist college in September 2008 to try to overcome these difficulties. With the right support he hoped to achieve qualifications and to pursue his chosen career in catering. This was a challenge to him as he knew the pathway he wanted to pursue would be difficult as his lack in confidence meant that he would get very anxious about everyday situations.

The specialist program has been able to support Matthew and provide him with the necessary skills and qualifications needed to carve out his ambition of a career in catering. Working with Matthew the college agreed a timetable which was personalised to Matthew’s needs and which included additional sessions in Skills for Life and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to help raise attainment levels in these areas. He also had personal tutorials with his programme manager in which Matthew could discuss any anxieties that he may have had and to work on strategies to enable him to cope better in similar situations.

Matthew’s confidence grew very quickly and his attendance was one hundred percent. “I loved going to college and I felt more and more confident because of the support I received,” said Matthew. He was very reliable and conscientious. By the end of the year Matthew successfully completed a NVQ 2 catering qualification in ‘professional cooking’, as well as CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) and a Level 1 in Adult Numeracy.

When a vacancy arose to gain paid employment within a professional kitchen environment Matthew applied for the post. He felt the catering course at the specialist college had prepared him to be in a position to embark on his chosen career.  Matthew said, “I am very happy that I am doing a real job. I filled out the application form and there were a lot of people being interviewed. I am really pleased to say that I got the job. I think I did well in my interview as I had built up a lot of experience.”  Matthew was successful in gaining the position in September 2009 and is currently enjoying his role where he does everything from cooking to cleaning the catering equipment. When asked what advice he would give to others wanting to pursue their goals he said, “My advice would be to try and get qualifications and I would also tell them about my experience to encourage them.”

Matthew developed friendships whilst at the Ofsted Grade 1 ‘Outstanding’ specialist college some of which he is still in touch with beyond college life. Matthew’s parents are extremely happy with his progress and report that he now goes out regularly with friends, loves his work, cooks at home and even stayed at home alone whilst they took a holiday.  Matthew said, “I currently live at home but I am thinking of moving out in the future as I feel I am now confident enough.” Matthew added referring to a staff member at the specialist college, “I would like to thank Annette McMahon. She has really helped me get my confidence up.”

Having the opportunity to join the specialist college's One Year Transition Programme has enabled Matthew's life to be transformed, from being in a position where he was not in education, employment or training (NEET). to becoming a succeeful learner and then, as a result, becoming a young person in permanent employment. Matthew is now, quite understandably, very proud of his achievements and very positive about his future.

NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) is a government priority aimed at reducing the number of sixteen to eighteen year olds not in education, employment or training.

Matthew had already decided that he wanted to become more independent as he did not want to rely on his parents to provide him with a lift all the time and successfully learn to drive. Matthew said, “I needed to get to work and knew I needed to find a way of getting there without asking my parents for a lift all the time. So I decided to learn to drive. I enjoy driving and take my friends out in my car too. Some of them are learning to drive now too.”