For four years, Tom Boyd woke up with pride, put on his uniform, and walked to his local Waitrose.
He wasn’t just stacking shelves — he was finding purpose, joy, and belonging.
But when his mother, Frances Boyd, asked the store if her 27-year-old autistic son could finally be paid for his hard work, everything changed.
“After that,” she said quietly, “he was never asked to come back.”
Tom, who has limited communication skills, volunteered over 600 hours at the Cheadle Hulme branch and was loved by staff. “He did enjoy it,” Frances shared. “We weren’t asking for much — even two hours of paid work. Just recognition.”
Now, she says, she’s had to tell her son the shop is “being cleaned” so he doesn’t feel rejected. “He deserved kindness, respect, and the chance for all his hard work to mean something.”
Sometimes, a paycheck isn’t just about money — it’s about dignity, belonging, and being seen. 💔
