Divine Days Community CIC

Josh Osullivan is the IT Manager at Divine Days Community CIC. Josh was born with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (commonly known simply as “autism”) in a family of 7. Being the second oldest, Josh was the first one in his family to be recognised as autistic and at a time where autism was less understood and accepted. Josh had always struggled with social concepts and making worthwhile relationships outside of his family was difficult. Having a monotone voice and a constant need for routine made this particularly challenging. 

Growing up there were many challenges that Josh faced, such as a lack of understanding from his peers and his teachers. What were outbursts and ‘meltdowns’ due to being overwhelmed, confused, or stressed, were seen simply as misbehaving and a lack of respect for the teachers and senior staff of schools. This often led him to believe that he was a naughty child and as such made Josh think of himself as a burden to others, leading to an overwhelming sense of wanting to just be “normal”. Josh would actively refuse any sort of assistance to him that would make him stand out, including headphones and the offer to listen to music in class. He would refuse because others in his class would not be able to understand why he had such freedoms, and this often did and further could have led to further isolation or him being bullied and harassed. Other difficulties were also presented by doctors and adults as he and his Mum, were told that he would never be able to be like any ‘typical’ young adult and have a job. Instead, it was suggested that Josh would have to grow up to just stay at home and would be in receipt of benefits his whole life. Being told this was at the time, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, having an enormous impact on his confidence as a young adult, and putting him off the working world, believing he would not be capable and was not valuable to a working environment.

In 2021 Josh heard about The Legacy Project, a supported internship programme ran by Divine Days Community, through his mum who saw it advertised locally. Josh went along for a chat initially and learnt how the programme would allow him to try the world of work and build his confidence by both testing out his interests and capabilities, rather than having to go through a process where people would have assumptions about any limitations or actual capabilities. To be able to prove himself in a fair way, where he was enabled to do all what he was capable of, resonated with Josh and he soon began his internship helping out at a local Primary School. He settled into the office space where his background in technologies began to shine. Soon after, this ability along with his interest and skill in graphics, came to the attention of Divine Days Community management and it became evident that Josh would be a great asset to their own office too. With now 2 part time apprenticeships, Josh was delighted to be able to give back to Divine Days Community in that way, for all the support they had given him and for the opportunities that they had provided.

Josh found himself thriving in both roles and at the end of his apprenticeships, Josh was offered a paid job at both the primary school and at Divine Days Community! Much more than having secured paid employment, Josh’s confidence and self-worth have increased, his sense of humour has been allowed to shine, and his skills and interest in the technological arts have continued to develop. Moreover, Josh has been an invaluable asset to both of his working environments, having been employed at both now for 2 years and considered a highly valued part of his working teams.

Working in an environment which celebrates difference, Josh is more than happy to lend a hand to those around the office in professional and personal affairs wherever he can. Asked how he feels about living with autism now, Josh said “what was once a reason to feel ashamed of myself, has now become something I understand the value of and know that others do too. I would even say that I am proud of it and therefore of me. I no longer feel that I am ‘the autistic one’ but now more of the person that people can go to when they have problems which need to be solved”.

Committed to staff development, Josh has recently completed safeguarding and counselling courses at Divine Days Community and has aims to use those skills in more of a personal supporting role in the future. “Being able to help others like me, to know that they aren’t alone and that what people have said previously is not the entirety of what they are or can be, is so important to me,” said Josh