Adam’s blog: my story so far
Editorial note: Adam Holden is supported by Best Lives in Lancashire. Adam has kindly agreed to share his experiences of living with a learning disability and autism through a series of regular blog posts, written in his own words. We hope you enjoy getting to know him.
Hi, I’m Adam
I’m a service user in Digital Media and an advocate for Best Lives in Chorley. I have a rare neurological disorder that has left me with delays in my communication and late to learn to walk. Throughout my life I have had great support from my parents and my big sister who have supported me with overcoming different challenges that I faced since my early childhood. Also, due to my epilepsy and having two strokes, my condition has left me with a physical disability affecting my left side and the right side of my body, so I wear a lycra sleeve on my left arm to support me with my everyday tasks. Plus I also wear 3D-printed carbon fibre splints that I wear on both legs for very short distances within the office and use a wheelchair for longer distances outside of my home.
Due to my neurological condition, I have also been diagnosed with a moderate learning disability and mild autism, which I was diagnosed with when I was in my mid-teens.
Education and support
My time in education has been really good, and the challenges I faced in primary school: I struggled with my maths skills and my literacy skills, but I had great support from my teaching assistant, as well as support from specialists who supported me with my communication skills and my walking stability.
In high school, I also had great teaching assistants and amazing teaching staff who helped me develop essential social skills, teamwork, and basic computing skills, while finding ways to adapt my everyday tasks and also to accommodate my physical disability.
During my time at Preston College, I learned great skills in cooking and employment and training, designed for an office and a library environment.
Also during my time at Preston College and Newman College in Preston I did some various courses:
- Essential Skills – entry level 1
- Art Design and Media – pathways and level 1
- Visual and Performing Arts – level 1
- Pre employment course
- Computing skills – entry level 1
- GCSE English – grade 3
- Maths Life Skills – entry level 1
- Project Search Supported Internship at Lancashire County Council
Work experience and volunteering
During my time at Preston College I did some unpaid work, in two different work placements. I worked in the College library from 2021 to 2022. In 2022 to 2023, I completed a supported internship called Project Search at Lancashire County Council, where I gained some practical skills in administration and experience in two departments:
- Human Resources: working remotely from the Lancashire County Council building where I was mail merging letters.
- Records Management Department: where I was inputting data into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet located on Marsh Lane in Preston.
When I finished my supported internship at Lancashire County Council in June 2023, I started going to Best Lives in Chorley as a service user. At Easter in 2023, I started contributing to a social enterprise called Digital Media, where I learned how to use different types of programmes and software where I supported the team leader with their administration tasks.
Also me and the team leader in Digital Media decided to start using a safe social media platform called Discord where service users in Digital Media can keep in touch with each other and staff.
This opportunity has allowed me to continue using my administration skills and knowledge that I gained from my supported internship at Lancashire County Council and from the guidance and support from the team leader and support staff at Best Lives. I learned some great valuable skills, and different various of software and computer programmes that I have learned which has enhanced my potential in my new volunteering role in the marketing department within Best Lives which I started in March 2026.
“I’m a dedicated and hardworking young man. I love administration work and I really enjoy my volunteering role in the Best Lives marketing team.”
Adam Holden, supported at Best Lives
In my free time and looking ahead
I enjoy going on my all terrain mountain trike wheelchair with my Mum and Dad. Later this year I’m moving into a supported living flat scheme in Preston, with 24 hour support. I’m very excited to move into my new supported living flat in Preston and see what the future holds for me.
Written by Adam Holden
To find out more about the services we offer, visit our services page.