Eden first came to Creating Careers through a work experience placement with Carlisle Brass in the summer of 2024. Carlisle Brass is a well-established ironmongery business based in Carlisle, supplying customers across the UK and beyond. From the very beginning, Eden showed real strengths. Working mainly in the warehouse, the Carlisle Brass team were careful, methodical and took pride in doing things properly – from picking and packing customer orders to repackaging products ready for a new look. They also had the opportunity to spend time with the product design team, gaining insight into how ideas become finished catalogues.
While Eden was confident in the practical side of the role, the social side of work felt much harder for them. Asking questions, starting conversations and navigating break times brought challenges. With the support of their Job Coach, Lizzie during the placement, Eden grew in confidence and settled into the environment. Carlisle Brass were genuinely impressed with Eden’s work and attitude. Although there wasn’t a vacancy when the placement ended, that positive impression stayed with them.
Two months later, when a warehouse role became available, Carlisle Brass offered Eden the job.
Eden was eager to prove they could manage independently. They started their paid role one day a week without Job Coach support, keen to stand on their own two feet. Over time, however, the pressure of a new job, combined with anxiety, began to build. Communication became harder, problem-solving felt overwhelming and, on some days, Eden needed to leave early due to emotional overwhelm. With Eden still in their probation period, both they and Carlisle Brass knew that something needed to change to make the role sustainable.
What made the difference was open, honest conversations. Carlisle Brass recognised that Eden’s difficulties were linked to their Autism and were keen to work together to find a solution. At the same time, Eden and their family reached out to People First for support. Together, we explored what would help Eden stay in work while protecting their independence.
In January 2025, Eden, their mum and Job Coach Lizzie Hall agreed on a work strategy coaching approach. This involved short coaching sessions at the end of each shift, giving Eden space to reflect on their day, talk through what had felt difficult and build practical strategies they could use straight away. Alongside this, Eden received additional specialist coaching to support emotional regulation, task switching and communication.
Over the months that followed, Eden developed a much clearer understanding of their emotions and how these affected their work. They learned to spot the early signs of overwhelm, communicate more openly with managers and navigate changes between tasks with greater confidence. As a result, Eden no longer experienced prolonged periods of overwhelm and was able to remain at work for their full shifts.
As their confidence and emotional regulation improved, Eden began to take on new responsibilities and felt more connected to the team around them. They worked closely with managers to address challenges as they arose, rather than struggling in silence. This shift made a real difference – not just to Eden’s performance, but to how they felt about work.
By the end of the coaching period, Eden had successfully completed their probation. They were more settled, more confident and happier in their role at Carlisle Brass. To support their continued independence, Eden began using a journal to carry on the techniques they had developed through coaching, giving them tools to manage emotions and communication on their own.
Although formal coaching ended in August 2025, Eden and Carlisle Brass remain in touch with People First, knowing support is there if it’s ever needed.
Eden’s story reflects what Creating Careers is about: working alongside people and employers to create the right conditions for work to not just start, but last. As Creating Careers moves into West Cumbria, we’re excited to support more journeys like Eden’s – where the right support, at the right time, helps people truly thrive in employment.
If you've been inspired by Eden's story, and want to explore how you, or someone you love would like to explore how they can take part in Creating Careers in West Cumbria, you can:
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