How Modern Work Experience Changed My Future as a Young Person with SEND

"Honestly, I believed my future would be extremely limited. I was more than likely going to become what people describe as NEET. I struggled to imagine a future where I would ever work independently or feel successful."

Hello everyone, my name is Catherine Howard.  

I want to share my story about how Creating Tomorrow College and Reach for Health Centre completely changed the direction my life was heading in. When I was very young, my parents became concerned because I struggled with things other children seemed to do naturally. My speech was delayed, I struggled with everyday tasks, and school quickly became very difficult for me. After years of tests and appointments, I was diagnosed with Autism at around 13 years old.  

The diagnosis gave my family answers, but didn’t  immediately change my experience in education. Mainstream school was tough; I struggled academically, especially with Maths, and because I stood out, I became a target for bullying. Although many teachers genuinely cared, I now realise they did not fully understand my needs or how Autism affected me. I often found myself in trouble for speaking up when I thought something was unfair, and I struggled socially as much as academically.  

Then COVID happened.  

During that time, I lost my nan, and everything became much harder. My confidence evaporated, my motivation collapsed, and I eventually left school with very few qualifications. Honestly, I believed my future would be extremely limited. I was more than likely going to become what people describe as NEET. I struggled to imagine a future where I would ever work independently or feel successful.  

Then, when I was 18, my parents and I heard about Creating Tomorrow College. We enrolled in the hope that my career aspirations could finally be supported properly. For most of my life, I had secretly wanted to become a Personal Trainer. I absolutely love fitness and being in the gym. Exercise gave me structure, focus and confidence when very little else did.  

But it always felt unrealistic. I hardly told anyone because deep down I already believed the answer would be no. I thought people would see my Autism, my qualifications, my anxiety and my struggles, and decide someone like me could never work in a professional gym environment.  

My first day at Creating Tomorrow College was nearly three years ago. I would love to say everything immediately changed overnight, but it did not. It took time, patience and support to slowly unlearn years of self-doubt. What made Creating Tomorrow College different was that the environment adapted to me instead of expecting me to simply cope alone.  

For the first time in education, I experienced genuine pastoral support. I had access to quieter spaces, smaller classes, patient Job Coaches and staff who understood how to support me properly. Slowly, education stopped feeling impossible.  

Not long into my time at college, we completed something called a Vocational Profile. It was during this process that I finally spoke openly about my dream of working in a gym and becoming a Personal Trainer. Instead of dismissing it, the staff listened. They took my ambitions seriously. That moment meant more to me than I can explain.  

One of my first opportunities was helping to run an opening event for the college as an Event Manager. I organised tasks, supported my peers and even ended up giving the town mayor a tour of the campus. For the first time in my life, I felt trusted and capable. Soon afterwards, more work experience opportunities began, and honestly, it changed my life. If I had to describe the feeling in one word, it would be freedom.  

For the first time, I entered environments where bullying and anti-social behaviour were not tolerated. Professionalism, teamwork and respect were expected from everybody equally, and I thrived in that structure. I realised very quickly that I  liked the expectations that came with working life. I liked being trusted.  

For so many years, school had made me feel different in a negative way. Work experience was the opposite. It gave me confidence, routine and purpose. I completed placements at Amazon, in a local boutique and in a café, where I learned about teamwork, responsibility, communication and independence. But throughout all of this, the college never forgot my long-term goal of working in a gym.  

Every week, I was given an hour to run a “Be Active” session at college. At first, it was terrifying. I had to plan workouts and lead sessions for other students, but without realising it, I was already becoming the person I wanted to be.  

Eventually, a local rehab gym called Reach for Health invited me to visit for a possible placement. That moment changed everything.  

It was there that I met Dan Miller and Darren Harper, who became incredibly important in my journey. What began as two days a week soon increased to three. In September 2025, I officially began my internship, spending almost all my time working within the gym while continuing my studies with support from my Job Coaches. Maths had always been one of my biggest struggles, and for years I believed I would never pass. But with support and determination, I finally passed my Maths exams. I cannot describe the relief and pride I felt in that moment.  

Then, in early 2026, conversations began about possible employment opportunities at the gym. I was told I would need additional vocational qualifications, but unfortunately, the course was expensive. Once again, the college and gym community stepped in to support me. Together, we organised a charity quiz and bake sale at the gym, and in one afternoon, we raised more than enough money for my course.  

There are times when I stop and think about what my life could have looked like if I had never joined Creating Tomorrow College. I think I would probably still be sat in my bedroom most days, isolated from the world and unsure how to move forwards with my life. I think my world would have become smaller and smaller. Instead, my life became something completely different.  

In May 2026, I was officially offered employment at Reach for Health Gym. The dream I once believed was impossible had become real.  

Today, I am employed in a gym environment that I love, working alongside people who supported me from the very beginning. I have achieved qualifications I once believed were impossible for me, and I am continuing to work towards becoming a qualified Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer. When I look back at the person I was a few years ago, I hardly recognise them.  

Creating Tomorrow College did not magically solve every problem overnight, but it gave me the support, structure and opportunities I needed to build a future I genuinely want to be part of.  

For the first time, my future feels exciting.  

Thank you to all of the staff at Reach for Health.

Thank you Dan Miller.  

Thank you Darren Harper.  

Thank you Mum, thank you Dad.

And thank all you very much for listening.