Wingate Stories: Meet Connor
- Wingate
- Aug 17
- 3 min read
Connor, aged 28, plays a key role in keeping The Wingate Centre looking its best. As well as a supported work placement, he does ad hoc paid work over the summer for the charity in Wrenbury, near Nantwich. By completing a range of tasks throughout the centre, Connor is building essential skills he can use in work and in life.
Connor’s diagnosis
Autism
His role at The Wingate Centre
Connor visits the centre twice a week to do a supported work placement and ad hoc paid work.
His tasks include:
Bedmaking
Hoovering
Cleaning surfaces
Stocktaking of first aid kits
Using a household iron and an industrial rolling iron
Mopping
Tidying
Toilet cleaning
Connor says: “My favourite job is making the beds. I also enjoy cleaning the touchpoints and using the roller iron for the bedding. The Wingate’s staff are friendly, nice and kind. I love earning money, which I use to buy tunes for my mechanical organs.”
About Connor
Connor started doing his supported work placement at the Wingate in 2024. He visits the centre twice a week to help the housekeeping department and has also supported our Sunshine Café team. And since 2025 he’s also been doing some ad hoc paid summer work for the Wingate’s residential accommodation.
Connor’s dad, Ade, says: “He enjoys going to the Wingate. It gives him something to focus on. He likes to be involved and always wants to help people, like asking our neighbours if he can empty their bins. He’s more than able to help people and it’s great he’s getting some paid work too. Connor brings the skills he’s learning at the Wingate home, where he helps a lot by changing the beds, dusting, hoovering and putting the washing machine on.”
His favourite hobbies
Outside of his placement at the Wingate, Connor enjoys:
Mechanical organ music and organ festivals
Woodwork
Watching trains
Painting
Model building
How the Wingate benefits Connor
The Wingate has supported Connor to develop functional independent-living skills, which he can use inside and outside of work, such as maintaining a clean living environment. The work also builds his confidence and gives him a sense of purpose and structure to his week.
Matt Harrison, Trainee Team Leader at Vision Beyond Autism, the Cheshire-based charity that oversees Connor’s work at the Wingate, says: “Connor has been doing work placements since 2022 but the Wingate is the first place where he’s been offered some paid work. This is a big deal because he has lots of skills and is hardworking and task focused. He’s incredibly hands-on, creative and practical, and the paid work gives him a sense of meaning and purpose. Our goal is to get him into paid employment.
"Connor’s work placement at the Wingate is one of the best I’ve been to across all my clients, especially because the Wingate’s team are experienced at working with people with SEND – they get it.”
Kathryn Harrison, Careers and Employability Coordinator at Safe Opportunities in Crewe, which set up Connor’s placement, says: “Regular observations are carried out along with review meetings to ensure the right support is in place for him.
"Through close partnership working with Vision Beyond Autism and The Wingate Centre, Connor has developed valuable employability skills, increased his confidence and continued to build important independent-living skills that will support his future aspirations.
"This placement is an important stepping stone in Connor’s journey towards greater independence and future employment opportunities. The continued support, inclusiveness and encouragement shown by The Wingate Centre have been instrumental in helping Connor thrive, providing him with a positive environment where he feels valued, supported and able to reach his potential.”
