Alfie was referred to our Supported Internship programme by Hackney Education after completing college. He originally expressed an interest in pursuing a career in tech, but it quickly became clear that his true passion lay elsewhere. He had an impressive knowledge of bikes and often noticed small details with a staff member’s bike when they arrived at work. With this in mind, we suggested bike mechanics as a possible career path, and Alfie was keen to explore the idea. 

At 20 years old, Alfie joined our Supported Internship programme as a bright, funny, and motivated young man eager to take his first steps into employment. His knowledge and passion for bikes were evident to everyone who worked with him and as a young person with Autism, he was also aware of some of the barriers he faced, particularly around managing new situations and social interactions. 

Our programme supports young people long before they reach the workplace. Through pre-employment training, we help them understand the world of work and build the practical and emotional skills they need to thrive. For Alfie, this meant developing strategies to stay calm and focused when he felt stressed, learning how to navigate unfamiliar environments in a calm and focused way, and building confidence in engaging with new people. 

With tailored mentoring, ongoing encouragement, and his own determination, Alfie made remarkable progress. While we offer structure, guidance and support, it is ultimately the young people who do the hard work and Alfie consistently demonstrated resilience and commitment to his goals. 

London Ability secured two internship placements for Alfie as a Bike Mechanic, where he received on-the-job support, regular check ins to monitor his progress and mentoring. During this time, Alfie decided that he’d like to study for formal qualifications. Taking the initiative, he chose to pursue one himself, and in June 2025 he successfully completed the City & Guilds Level 2 Cycle Mechanic qualification. 

In January 2026, Alfie spotted a “Mechanic Required” sign in the window of a well known bike shop in Hackney. Confident and independent – skills he had worked hard to develop during his time with us – he went inside to enquire, something he would never have felt able to do when we first met him. He has now successfully secured his first paid role doing something he loves and he couldn’t be happier.