Ross and Cara from Leicestershire Cares team had a great time at the latest Vulnerability Academy training hosted by Hinckley & Rugby Building Society. Ross and Cara were joined by two incredible young people, Jack and Kayla, who shared their personal experiences and helped bring the topic of vulnerability to life.
Jack spoke openly about living with autism, giving Hinckley & Rugby staff a clear picture of how small adjustments and understanding can make a huge difference. He highlighted the importance of clear communication, patience, and consistency, skills that are essential both in the workplace and when supporting customers with diverse needs. This event taking place during 'Neurodiversity Celebration Week' was a brilliant opportunity for Jack to share his experiences with the Hinckley & Rugby team.
Kayla shared her experiences as a care-experienced young person, speaking about the challenges of navigating new environments and building trust. She emphasised how having supportive, empathetic people around her makes all the difference, a lesson that resonates strongly for anyone in a customer-facing role, where understanding and kindness are key.
Working directly with young people gave Hinckley & Rugby staff and vulnerability champions an invaluable perspective. Hearing real stories firsthand helped them see the practical impact of small adjustments, empathy, and effective communication in ways that theoretical training alone could never achieve.
The session also highlighted the practical ways businesses can create more inclusive environments. From recognizing triggers and barriers to offering reassurance and adapting processes, staff then took the time to speak to the young people to gain a deeper understanding of their own situations but the themes that resonated across the board were mostly the importance of patience, kindness and empathy. Jack and Kayla’s honesty sparked conversations and reflections that will leave a lasting impression.
A huge thank you to Jack and Kayla for their bravery and insight, and to Hinckley & Rugby Building Society for continuing to champion training that connects real experiences with workplace practice.
It's great to have opportunities for young people who are supported by Leicestershire Cares to have their voices heard, which helps businesses learn directly from young people, providing authentic, impactful experiences that benefit both staff and communities.
It was a session full of learning, laughter, and powerful moments, a reminder that understanding vulnerabilities isn’t just about awareness, it’s about empathy, action, and building stronger, more inclusive communities.
For more information about this kind of work or our youth projects, contact Ross Cox ross@leicestershirecares.co.uk