Member News | EDEN - Former 'worst kid' embarks on employment mission

We’re excited to celebrate Matthew Punter, a member of the Innovation Centre, whose groundbreaking work is opening doors for neurodivergent individuals in the workplace through his venture, EDEN – Employment Devices for Enhancing Neurodiversity.

At 26, Matthew is not only pursuing a PhD at the University of Bath but also leading EDEN, an initiative dedicated to creating tailored employment solutions for neurodiverse individuals. Recently, his efforts were recognized with £8,000 in funding to expand the project.

“There’s a huge gap in the market for neurodiversity support,” Matthew explains, reflecting on the motivation behind EDEN.

Matthew’s story is as inspiring as his work. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and pathological demand avoidance, he faced significant challenges growing up. Expelled from over 10 schools, he was once labeled “the worst kid” by his local education authority.

Despite this, Matthew’s resilience and determination led him to teach himself to read at the age of 17, going from a reading age of seven to adult level in just a year. He went on to pass his GCSEs and A-Levels, eventually earning a place as an undergraduate at the University of Bath, where he is now working on his PhD.

The idea for EDEN was born after Matthew saw his neurodiverse partner struggle with challenges in the workplace. “The same problems in education repeat themselves in employment,” he says, emphasizing the need for better support systems.

Based in Bath, EDEN aims to bridge this gap, providing tools and strategies to help neurodivergent individuals thrive in their careers. With the recent funding, Matthew plans to grow EDEN and extend its reach to support more people navigating the unique challenges of employment.

We’re proud to have Matthew as part of our Innovation Centre community and look forward to seeing the incredible impact he and EDEN will make for neurodiverse individuals.