Case Study

Learning to thrive – with a difference

12 Aug 2024

Visionary educator, Kurt Hahn, famously said, ‘your disability is your opportunity’. It’s a sentiment that Ed Wild, Ingeus team manager for the Work and Health Programme in Preston, lives by at work and at home. From utilising technology to better manage his time, to gifting his home-grown green beans to colleagues, he’s finding simple yet effective techniques to embrace difference, and not only learn to live with it, but flourish from it.  

“I see things in different ways to other people,” says Ed, who is dyslexic. “I’m always looking for the next challenge but can really over worry at the same time. It’s a kind of nervous energy. My doctor noticed me tapping, and my legs shaking, and suggested an ADHD assessment.” 

Receiving his diagnoses in adult life has given the 37-year old an appreciation and respect for people’s differences. He is a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Group lead and is a passionate advocate of giving people the right tools to work to their advantage. He’s devised his own strategies to manage his conditions and champions the importance of looking after yourself at work. 

“Technology helps me a lot,” adds Ed, who has progressed to his management role since joining Ingeus six years ago. “I use Texthelp Read&Write; Dragon speech recognition software; and Microsoft Copilot to structure and research work.  

“I can struggle with time planning and occasional brain fog. Microsoft accessibility tools include a built-in timer so I use the Pomodoro technique to help keep focussed, and our company Headspace App helps me manage stress and detune. 

“Beyond that though, it’s the people around me that matter. I’m a great believer in a problem shared being a problem halved and I know I can always turn to my managers. People at Ingeus understand me and welcome any conversation that will improve things. We’re empowered to look at things differently and carve our own paths; to Own It. 

“I reflect that with my own team. We have protected wellbeing slots three times a week and I’m always reporting back new ideas and initiatives from the D&I Group. I also discourage my team from working outside of their hours – time at home should be distinct from work.” 

Proactively managing his disabilities and mental health isn’t a nine-to-five for Ed. After a close bereavement knocked him for six, he’s slowly finding solace in the simple things at home: 

“First year of my vegetable garden and the green beans have been a triumph, the potatoes less so!” he adds. “Just getting outdoors and getting on with menial things like painting the fence really helps me switch off. I’m purposely trying out new foods and we’re taking the plunge and moving house – the veggie plot is already planned! 

“I think it’s really important to look after yourself, in and out of work. I love my job but if it was making me unwell or unhappy then I couldn’t live my life well. I want to help people, and myself, to maximise their lives and be happily successful. Everyone will have different struggles – I have my own – but there’s always an opportunity to do something about it.”