Tom Boyd, a 28-year-old autistic man from Greater Manchester, spent more than four years volunteering at the Waitrose supermarket in Cheadle Hulme. Over that time, he contributed more than 600 hours of unpaid work, stacking shelves and tidying up, always accompanied by a support worker. For Tom, the role was much more than a way to pass the time—it gave him a sense of purpose and belonging, according to his mother, Frances Boyd. "He gave over 600 hours of his time purely because he wanted to belong, contribute, and make a difference," Frances told the BBC. "He deserved better. He deserved kindness, respect and the chance for all his hard work to mean something."
Tom’s journey at Waitrose began in 2021, when he started the placement as part of a skills development program linked to his further education course. Initially, he volunteered for just one hour a week, but as he gained confidence and ability, the time gradually increased to two full mornings each week. Store staff praised Tom’s work ethic and welcomed him as part of the team. "He was so proud of his work," Frances said, recalling how he would smile whenever she visited the store.
But things took a sharp turn in July 2025. Frances approached Waitrose’s head office with what seemed like a reasonable request: could Tom be offered "just a few paid hours" each week? At first, there was hope. The family was told to come back after the next recruitment cycle in January. But as the request moved up the chain of command, the tone changed. According to Frances, once head office became involved, Tom’s placement was abruptly ended. The family was told he could not continue volunteering and could not return to the store. "We had to make a story up that the shop was being cleaned temporarily and he couldn’t go into work until they cleaned it and then he might be going back and we left it at that," Frances explained on BBC Breakfast.
The decision left Frances and Tom feeling "deeply let down." She described Waitrose’s response as "dismissive" and "cold." The situation soon caught the attention of the public and the media, with disability rights campaigners and employment lawyers questioning whether it was appropriate for Tom’s work to be classed as volunteering after so many hours. Greater Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, also weighed in, calling Tom’s treatment "truly terrible" and promising to "support him to find another placement that works." Burnham urged all employers in the region, including Waitrose, to sign up to the new Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice, designed to improve workplace inclusion for neurodivergent individuals.
The story didn’t end there. As the outcry grew, something remarkable happened. Asda, a rival supermarket chain, reached out to Tom’s family. On October 23, 2025, Frances announced on BBC Radio Manchester that Asda had offered Tom a paid job: two five-hour shifts each week, with the flexibility to adjust if he ever struggled. "It's overwhelming and they are flexible to say if at any time he is struggling they are fine. How amazing that a company could do this," Frances said, her relief and gratitude clear.
Asda confirmed the offer and highlighted its commitment to supporting individuals with learning disabilities. "We know that finding meaningful work can be especially challenging for individuals with learning disabilities or difficulties," an Asda spokesperson told The Grocer. "Asda has a Supported Internship Programme and partnership with DFN Project SEARCH, through which we have welcomed over 30 talented new colleagues into roles across our stores. We have seen the positive impact this has for the individuals who join and for our colleagues and customers too. So when we heard about Tom and his desire to find meaningful work, we knew he’d be a fantastic fit and we are delighted to offer him a role at his local store."
The story sparked a wider debate about the rights of disabled volunteers and the responsibilities of large employers. Disability rights groups questioned whether Tom’s lengthy unpaid placement was fair, and whether Waitrose should have done more to recognize his contribution. Employment lawyers raised concerns about the legal and ethical implications of classifying such long-term, regular work as "volunteering."
Waitrose, for its part, insisted that it cares deeply about helping people into the workplace who might not otherwise be given a chance. In a statement to multiple outlets, the company said, "As those familiar with Waitrose will know, we care deeply about helping people into the workplace who might otherwise not be given a chance. As such, we warmly welcomed Tom and his support worker into our Cheadle Hulme branch to gain experience and build his confidence. We have policies in place to support volunteering, and are investigating what’s happened in Tom’s situation. We’d like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are seeking support from his family and the charity to do so. We hope to see him back with us very soon."
Despite the company’s assurances, Frances made it clear that the decision to end Tom’s placement had come from head office, not from the local store staff, whom she praised for their support and inclusion. "They included him and were absolutely brilliant. I think he was just under the radar—all was running smoothly until it went to head office," she told the BBC.
The public reaction to Tom’s story has been overwhelming, with many expressing support and admiration for his perseverance. Andy Burnham, the mayor, has used the moment to call for broader change, saying, "Good on you for raising awareness because we need a huge awareness campaign here." Frances has since accepted Burnham’s on-air offer to act as an advocate for the region’s neuroinclusive employment campaign.
As Tom prepares to start his new paid role at Asda, his experience has already made a difference—sparking a conversation about the rights of disabled workers and the need for greater inclusion in the workplace. While Tom’s journey has been marked by both disappointment and hope, his story stands as a reminder of the impact that kindness, flexibility, and genuine opportunity can have on someone’s life.
For Tom, the future looks brighter than ever. And for the companies and communities watching, his story is a call to action—one that’s hard to ignore.
