Ben’s Story
What a transformation! From shy, quiet young man restrained by Asperger’s syndrome to lively volunteer presenter of a radio show: Pure has had quite an impact of Ben’s life.
"I thought I'd be making the tea not being a presenter!"
‘In recent years I’d been to college and I’d worked in retail off and on’, said Ben.
‘But I found myself unemployed and not sure what to do. My Mum heard about Pure and persuaded me to contact them to find out more.’
Pure 107.8 FM is Stockport’s Community Radio Station and is run by Pure Innovations. Its One Voice show is made by people with learning disabilities and is broadcast every week. A lively mix of interviews, disability topics, sport and comedy: there’s nothing quite like it!
‘I liked the idea of working in radio but was really shy at first. I thought I’d just be making the tea for the presenters! I’d no idea I’d be encouraged to get behind the mic myself.
‘I’d never thought I could do something like that because of my Asperger’s. I soon got in to it though and left my inhibitions behind. The experience has done so much for my confidence. Now I love talking. In fact it’s hard to shut me up!’
Ben is so at home behind the mic that now he is hoping for a career in the media.