Ben is a full-time carer for his dad. He stayed inside his home for almost a year and a half, as he struggled with anxiety and the thought of meeting new people. In November 2024 he visited Clip Mablethorpe as he wanted a reason to get out of the house and to improve his confidence. Ben met Eleanor (Support and Engagement Coach at Clip) and she talked him through the Wellbeing Hub Schedule, and he was very interested in the Beyond the Spectrum Group which he now regularly attends. Ben also registered for a programme called Thrive, who run creative writing sessions. Thanks to the support at Clip, Ben has grown in confidence and has started studying at the Open University. You can read about his journey below. 

Away from your studies at Clip Mablethorpe, what are your hobbies and interests? 

I spend a lot of time reading books about history, I’m interested in ancient Rome and World War Two. I play strategy games on PlayStation and I enjoy activities where I have to think. I also enjoy sudoku and reading comic books, particularly DC Comics. 

How did you find out the groups and courses at Clip Mablethorpe? 

I attended the centre a few years ago, and in January 2025 I popped back in to see what courses they had to offer. I met Eleanor at Clip as I wanted to get out of the house and find something different to do as I hadn’t been out for over a year and a half. I struggled a lot with anxiety and meeting new people, I don’t mind talking about this now, I used to hide my depression, anxiety and autism but now I’ve found opening up about it easier. I’ve now found the right places and met the right people, I hadn’t been out as I didn’t know where to go and I struggled with being overwhelmed in new places. 

What support have you received from Clip Mablethorpe? 

Everyone is always really welcoming. I’ve attended two writing groups (Creative Writing, and Beyond The Spectrum) and the Autism Peer Support Group. The people are very open and easy to talk to. I struggle to start a conversation and knowing what to say but there’s never any judgement. I’ve been other places and felt out of place and unwelcome, whereas the groups have made me feel welcome and it doesn’t matter if I’m quiet for a bit. With the writing group we have prompts for things to write about but you don’t have to read anything out if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. 

What have you achieved so far? 

I feel more confident with people, I did a three-week understanding neurodiversity course, when I first went, I felt anxious and didn’t know what to expect. By the end of it I felt more confident and more able to speak up and ask for things to accommodate my autism and anxiety. 

What courses are you studying next? 

I have just registered with the Open University, I have started studying an access to higher education course in arts and languages, hopefully I will study a degree in religious studies and philosophy. 

How has Clip Mablethorpe helped to prepare you for your next steps? 

They have given me the confidence to take that step to sign up because I did try to register with the Open University previously, but I just didn’t have the confidence to do it. When I went to Clip and got involved with the groups it just helped with my confidence and gave me that extra push to sign up for the course. 

What are your long-term goals and next steps? 

I would like to study more courses at Clip. I’m enjoying the Open University, but I also like going to Clip to be out and to meet more people and socialise. Clip is a place I can go without feeling anxious so I will look out for more courses. I want to complete my degree and make a decision from there. When I’ve caught up with my studies I will also look into volunteering. 

If you would like to find out more about Clip Mablethorpe, please contact info@cliplearning.com or call 01507 473325