Tom Boyd, a 28-year-old man from Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, has become the unexpected face of a national conversation about workplace inclusion and support for neurodivergent people, after a dramatic turn of events that saw him move from a long-standing voluntary role at Waitrose to a paid position at Asda—and, soon, a return to Waitrose in a paid capacity.
Tom, who is autistic and works with the help of a support worker, had volunteered at his local Waitrose for more than four years, clocking up over 600 hours of unpaid labor. According to BBC, his dedication was well known to staff and customers alike, but everything changed in July 2025 when his mother, Frances Boyd, asked the supermarket’s head office if her son could be considered for “just a few paid hours.” Instead of the hoped-for offer, Tom’s voluntary placement was abruptly ended by Waitrose’s head office that summer.
The move left Tom and his family reeling. Frances, determined to advocate for her son, took to social media in October 2025 to share their disappointment and frustration. The story quickly gained traction, sparking a public outcry and drawing widespread attention to the challenges faced by disabled and neurodivergent people seeking paid employment. As GB News reported, Tom’s story resonated particularly because of the sheer commitment he had shown—over 600 hours of unpaid labor—only to be denied a paid opportunity at the same store.
The outpouring of public support did not go unnoticed. Shortly after the media storm erupted, Asda, another leading UK supermarket chain, reached out to Tom with an offer of paid employment at their Cheadle Hulme store. Tom started his new job in December 2025, donning his Asda uniform for the first time just before the Christmas season. “We made it very exciting that we had some good news and that he’s got a job as a ‘working man’ at Asda and he was very happy,” Frances told BBC. She added, “He wants to buy Christmas party food so that’s his latest project that he’ll save his money for and we always give him incentives to what he’s working for.”
Asda’s response was unequivocal. A spokesperson for the company told BBC: “When we heard about Tom’s story and his determination to find meaningful work, we knew he would be a great addition to Asda and we’re so pleased that he’s now joined the team at our Cheadle Hulme store. Giving people with additional needs the chance to shine is something we’re passionate about, because we’ve seen how much it benefits our colleagues and customers.”
The story, however, didn’t end there. Perhaps galvanized by the public reaction and the swift action from a competitor, Waitrose reversed its earlier decision and offered Tom a paid role at his old store. The company explained that Tom would be welcomed back to start in January 2026, after the busy Christmas period. “We’re delighted that Tom has accepted our offer of paid employment and looking forward to welcoming him to start in January, as requested by his family,” a Waitrose spokesperson told BBC. They added, “We have Tom’s best interests at heart and we’ve worked closely with his family throughout to ensure Tom gets the support he needs. We’re learning from this situation and working with charities and specialists to make sure we can continue to offer fair and rewarding opportunities for people with neurodiversity.”
Tom’s journey has not only brought him two job offers, but also shone a light on broader systemic issues. His case was raised in the UK Parliament earlier in 2025, with Labour frontbencher Baroness Sherlock highlighting the need to prioritize opportunities and support for disabled people in the workforce. Frances Boyd, meanwhile, met with Stephen Timms, the government Minister for Social Security and Disability, after Tom’s story made headlines. She pressed for the reinstatement of the Access to Work Plus scheme, a government program that previously provided ongoing support to help people like Tom move into paid employment. The scheme, which had run as a two-year trial, ended in March 2024.
Frances described her meeting with Minister Timms as positive but inconclusive. “He was very interested, he was very nice, and he listened,” she told BBC. “He took into consideration all our points, but I’m not sure he was in the position to be able to tell us that it would open back up.”
The Department of Work and Pensions acknowledged Tom’s achievement, with a spokesperson saying, “We are delighted that Tom is starting paid work, and we wish him all the best for the future.” They also pointed to the government’s broader commitment, stating, “We are investing £1bn a year in employment support by the end of the decade to help sick, disabled, or neurodivergent people move into good, secure jobs. An independent expert panel is looking at how employers can boost workplace inclusivity.”
For Tom, the whirlwind of the past few months has brought both uncertainty and excitement. His mother describes him as “very happy” about his new job at Asda and also looking forward to returning to Waitrose—a place he knows well and where he is keen to continue contributing. The family has always found ways to keep Tom motivated, setting goals and incentives that connect his work to things he enjoys, like saving up for Christmas party food. “He’s very happy about going back to Waitrose as well because he knows it so well,” Frances said.
Waitrose, for its part, appears to be taking Tom’s experience as a learning opportunity. In a statement to the press, the company emphasized its commitment to supporting neurodiverse colleagues and said it is working with charities and specialists to improve its approach. “We’re learning from this situation and working with charities and specialists to make sure we can continue to offer fair and rewarding opportunities for people with neurodiversity,” the company said.
Tom’s experience has sparked a wider debate about how companies approach the inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent people in the workforce. While government schemes like Access to Work Plus have played a role in the past, their future remains uncertain. As the government points to increased investment and a focus on workplace inclusivity, advocates like Frances Boyd are calling for more concrete steps to ensure that people like Tom are not left behind.
With Tom now working paid hours at Asda and set to return to Waitrose in January, his story stands as both a personal triumph and a rallying point for those pushing for a more inclusive, supportive job market. The hope among his supporters is that his journey will inspire other employers to see the value in giving everyone—regardless of their challenges—the chance to shine.
