Brave Mansfield man nominated for award after facing autism challenges

Brett Kinsley, 23, from Mansfield, has been nominated for a 4Uth award

The 23-year-old, of Rosemary Street, Mansfield, attends the Mansfield Link Club youth organisation.

He qualifies for the award as a young person aged under 25 with a disability.

Successful completion of the Skills for Employment Course at myplace@ Westfield Folkhouse also helped Brett gain essential skills needed for the working environment.

The placement transformed Brett’s fortunes, as it led to part-time employment at Linneys in Mansfield.

He has also recently passed a difficult first-aid exam, which was a big achievement for him as the written part of the exam was a tough challenge.

Councillor Liz Plant, vice-chairman of the children and young people committee, at Notts County Council, said: “Brett has done extremely well to become more independent and the Skills for Employment course has been really helpful to enable him to develop his confidence and skills in all areas of his life.

“He can be justly proud of his achievement in being nominated.”

Brett had previously struggled with social skills and comfortably having conversations with other people.

He left school and started college in the hope of gaining further qualifications. His college course did not work out and he had to leave.

Youth worker Rachael Peat, who nominated Brett for the award, explained that before the course. Brett was unsure about using public transport which meant his mum, Wendy, had to travel with him. During the course Brett took part in work placement and perfected independent travel on buses to ensure he could get to the placement.

He is also a long-term member of Pioneers Youth Forum and represents Mansfield Youth Link in the meetings once a month.

Brett is just one of the many young people who have already been nominated for the 2016 4Uth Awards which recognise the achievements of young people in the county.

Young stars who have been nominated will be promoted on social media sites such as Twitter and Instagram.

Click here for the full story about the nominations.

Nominations are open now until June 10.

Panels will then shortlist three top nominees and select winners from each district to receive awards at the County Hall on October 28.

For more information, visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/4uth.