THE brother of a man with Asperger’s Syndrome has made it his New Year’s resolution to help find him a job.

Kev Riley, 37, has pledged to find his sibling, Liam, a part-time job to help him earn a bit of money and help him ‘feel more valued’.

The story mirrors the recent BBC documentary series ‘Employable me!’ which followed the efforts of a group of job hunters with various conditions – including Asperger’s – who were struggling to find work.

The condition means Liam, 34, from Burnley, has difficulties with completing certain tasks.

Liam, a former Calder View Special School pupil, has been volunteering at Burnley General Teaching Hospital for the past seven years.

Described as the ‘perfect uncle’ to Kev’s children, Liam has previously worked for a recruitment company and a vehicle management company.
Kev said his brother, who is a big Burnley FC fan, would be best suited for a junior office role or something similar.

He said: “Liam used to love putting his suit on and getting the bus at a certain time and filling in data at his previous job.

“Having a job gave Liam a sense of value and it gave him routine, which was great for his condition.

“He helps out at the antenatal department but he deserves to have a job that pays him.

“I made this my New Year’s resolution as a bit of a last resort really, we need to help him find a little job.

“His would love to be a football reporter and cover Burnley, that would be his dream job.”

Mr Riley took to Facebook to appeal for help and his post was shared around 5,000 times, with hundreds of messages of support coming from across the UK, the USA, Canada and Panama.

Mr Riley said: “Liam is like anyone else with Asperger’s, he is extremely social and has lots of friends.

“He does a little bit of DJ-ing at a bar which he does on the odd evening but he needs something in the day.

“He’s not exactly sat at home in his bedroom staring at the walls, he helps look after my children when I’m at work.

“But he needs to have a job, he deserves it.

“He’s very hard working and as a family we would be extremely grateful.
“Liam would brighten up any company, he doesn’t need to earn a fortune he just needs to have a feeling of value.”

“If the time is taken with him to show him something he surprises with what he can achieve.

“We’ve had lots of support from people and it’s been amazing.

“I’ve had people message me saying I have inspired others to help out their siblings or people they know with the condition which is a great feeling.”

Can you offer Liam a job? Email LT_editorial@nqnw.co.uk