For four years, 28-year-old Tom Boyd from the UK showed up at his local Waitrose, unpaid, because the job gave him something no salary could buy: purpose, joy, and a sense of belonging.
But last Friday, Tom’s mother shared a heart-breaking post on Facebook. After more than 600 hours of volunteering, Waitrose had declined to offer her son a paid position. “He wasn’t asking for charity,” she wrote. “Just a few paid hours, a small recognition for his dedication and commitment.”
The response from management, she added, was cold and dismissive.
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Her post quickly touched thousands online, spreading from local community groups to national media, and soon reaching the BBC.
Moved by Tom’s story, Asda came forward and offered him a paid role with two five-hour shifts a week, giving him the appreciation he truly deserved.
In a surprising twist, Waitrose, who had earlier asked Tom not to return, reached out again, this time offering him a paid position as well.
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Tom’s journey is a reminder that kindness and perseverance never go unnoticed, and that everyone deserves to feel valued for their effort and heart.
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