Declan is a young man who left Grateley House School in July 2023 after being a valued member of our school community for 8 years.
Recently his Mum shared this inspirational update:
“I would like GHS to know that Declan has extended his hours at McDonalds to a full-time position of 5 days a week 8 hours a day.
To put this into context, when Declan was a little boy I thought he had global developmental delay. He couldn’t speak or play and struggled to interact with his family and I was on the receiving end of many a kick or scream.
Even after his diagnosis his Dad and I always thought that we, his siblings or the state would have to take care of him and that his own independence was something that could never be achieved.
We thought he would never learn to read or write; how wrong we were.
When Declan arrived at GHS he was quiet and shy; however, I hope polite and well mannered. Academically he would not be a student to reach the heights of exam successes, but he had watched his sister and brothers leave home and go to work and this is what his own aspirations were.
On leaving Stratford Lodge Declan started working at Premier Inn getting there for 06:30 to begin his shift, three days a week. The pressure of the commercial kitchen was too much for him and he left having had his confidence knocked.
However, McDonalds saw in Declan someone who wanted to work and after his interview (for which he was suited and booted and really looked the part) offered him a part-time job for 18 hours a week. That was in late August. Since then he has passed his driving test, is now working full-time and has opened many savings accounts to obtain maximum interest on all the precious wages he is now earning.
In addition, he contributes a little to the household budget, does all his own laundry and helps with the cleaning, cooking and many other household chores.
I couldn’t be prouder. Declan is a huge ambassador for what GHS can offer and what personal determination can achieve.”
