A man from Barrow has described how he 'found his place' with a Cumbrian training provider doing exactly what he loves. 

24-year-old Matthew Bircher was born in Edinburgh but has lived in Barrow for over 20 years.

He started with Whamos Training and Development in Millom around three years ago where managing director Bill Amos, 57, saw his potential. 

The CIC offers specialised training and development programs for neurodivergent individuals to get them into employment and acquire valuable skills.

The company holds inclusivity as a core value with training for all individuals and courses in social media, website design, video production and tech support. 

Last week, it held its first session offering support for seniors to stay safe online.

Bill Amos, Managing Director of Whamos LTD (Image: Whamos LTD) Bill first started a digital agency in 2012. In September 2020 he opened BM Tech Services due to the amount of laptop repairs needed in the community.

In January 2023, the company began to build quality websites and social media advertising for local businesses.

Now, under Whamos Ltd, the company offers all of these services and in 2024, formed a community interest company (CiC) to help neurodiverse people.

He said: "I have two neuro diverse grandchildren who are amazing and super clever.

"When Matt joined, he tried every role available to him - from graphic design to social media marketing and tech repairs both computers and mobiles. His communication skills weren't great but I saw the potential he had.

"After he was taken on as a Software Development Technician apprentice, it was just me and him in the shop.

"He'd taken a laptop to bits after deciding to service it himself and I asked him 'do you know how to do that?' He'd just taken in everything he'd learned brilliantly and since then he's just shone.

"He's now a very vital part of our company as a web developer.

"Sometimes it just taking the time to place people, particularly neurodivergent people, in the right place.

"That's what we want to do here. It's not about money, it's about giving people hope and confidence."

Lexie Liebhart, director of video production at Whamos who has been an integral part in the creation of the CIC  (Image: Whamos LTD) Matthew, who has autism and high levels of anxiety, described himself as a 'sick child' when younger and struggled with social interaction.

He didn’t have much opportunity to develop interests outside his family who had a deep interest in technology.

He shadowed his dad as a contractor and loved cooking with his mum which led to him obtain a catering and hospitality diploma.

During the pandemic, Matthew was classed as high-risk and went into isolation earlier than most.

During this time, he rediscovered his love for computing and signed up with the job centre which directed to BM Tech Services Ltd, later Whamos Ltd.

He was on the Kickstart scheme - a neurodiversity affirming organisation providing education, support and advice.

"It was only when I began my website development journey that I knew I found my place," Matt said.

"After the scheme ended, the apprenticeship ignited my love for software development, AI technology and game development  - which I have started doing in my off time.

Members of the Whamos team (Image: Whamos LTD) "Whilst working at Whamos, I learned more than I ever could have before.

"I learned how to communicate with people better than I ever have in my life, I learned 3D printing, 3D CAD design, I can continuously improve my website development work, and I can funnel all of this into products that I can really be proud of.

"If it wasn't for Whamos and my team, I wouldn’t have found my place."

To find out more about training on offer, visit the Whamos website.