Celebrating Aya’s First Year in Meaningful Employment
Written By Morag Hutcheson, Marketing Manager at Fair Shot
At Fair Shot, we believe employment is a right—not a privilege. This Learning Disability Awareness Month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Aya, a graduate of the Fair Shot Programme, who is marking a powerful milestone: one year of sustained employment with one of our inclusive employer partners.
Aya’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when workplaces break down barriers and embrace inclusive hiring practices. As part of Mencap’s powerful ‘Do You See Me?’ campaign, we’re sharing real stories that challenge stereotypes and celebrate people with learning disabilities for who they truly are—skilled, hardworking, and valuable members of society.
In this exclusive interview, Aya reflects on her first year in employment, what the opportunity has meant to her, and why inclusion in the workplace should be the norm, not the exception.
What does having a job mean to you?
To me having a job means more than just earning a living - it is about being independent and enjoying the freedom to treat myself occasionally. Having a job means I can enjoy rewards of my hard work like treating myself to holidays from time to time.
How has being in work changed the way you see yourself?
Being at work has changed the way I see myself. Through the Supported Internship programme at Fair Shot I gained valuable life skills. There were times when I did struggle to get along with my peers and teachers. However, I learned that life can be difficult, and that other people are part of the journey.
Despite these challenges, the Fair Shot programme helped me grow. I now see myself as independent and hard-working. I have learned to reward myself every now and then with trips to restaurants and the theatre, and the occasional holiday.
“What I wish employers knew about Autism in the workplace is that kindness, understanding and empathy make a big difference.”
Are there tasks or routines at work that you enjoy?
At work the tasks that I enjoy are learning about all the products that my company offers. I like researching each one, taking notes and creating powerpoint slides for our monthly London team meetings. I also prepare quizzes to test my colleagues knowledge and enjoy rewarding the winners, it makes learning fun and engaging for everyone.
Another task I enjoy is social media tracking. I use spreadsheets to monitor restaurants, bars, hotels, private members' clubs, theatres, night clubs and pubs to see if they’re posting about our products alongside other competitors. I find it interesting to explore instagram for this research and take pride in presenting the information to the team.
When preparing presentations, I reach out to the marketing team to review my work. They help me by giving feedback, correcting any spelling mistakes and making sure the content is accurate. At first I felt shy about asking for help from other team members but over time my confidence has grown. Now I feel much more comfortable with the team and proud of how far I have come.
Aya training in our Covent Garden cafe in the Supported Internship Programme
What do you wish for employers to know about Autism in the workplace?
What I wish employers knew about Autism in the workplace is that kindness, understanding and empathy make a big difference. It is important to be patient with Autism or Learning Disabilities and to provide the right guidance and adjustments. People with Autism thrive and bring strength to a team. I hope employers create inclusive environments where people feel accepted, supported and respected.
Life can be especially difficult for individuals with learning disabilities when it comes to finding suitable employment. In the UK , around 95% of young adults with learning disabilities are unemployed. Fair Shot was launched to support these individuals by providing real life work experience, helping build skills and confidence needed to prepare for paid employment. Initiatives like this are essential for creating inclusive workplaces.
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