Spotlight on - Matt Fletcher

Trainer Matt Fletcher knows about shifting people's lives onwards in a positive direction - because he also had a spell as a removals driver.

Matt is the latest recruit to the NAPPI training team, having joined in October, and is enjoying travelling the country to lead sessions with a range of care and education clients.

He was previously on the receiving end of NAPPI training, when working with young adults with learning difficulties at Condover College in Shropshire.

Matt progressed from being a learning support assistant to associate tutor, and enjoyed the rewards of improving the lives of the students, who at times presented with behaviours of concern and complex care needs.

His NAPPI training in 2013 gave him new confidence to help the youngsters, so when the chance later came up to join NAPPI uk as a trainer himself, he jumped at the chance of a "dream role" passing on the skills to others.

Sandwiched in the middle, after learning to drive a lorry, was a spell in removals, which helped him spend more time with his young family.

"There are similarities between the two jobs - because as a removals man you need to be able to enter people's homes with a smile, and generate trust that you can move their belongings carefully," he said.

"NAPPI training helped me deal with behaviours of concern promptly and safely on a day-to-day level, and I saw what an impact it had on the students' lives at Condover."

"I was always quite a shy person and never really saw myself as a trainer, but the NAPPI training is very empowering. I found I was good at it. It also built my confidence on a professional and personal level and made me feel more positive about life," he added.

Matt is based at Telford and is enjoying his early months in his NAPPI role, meeting a variety of partners and learning all the time.

"NAPPI training changed me, and I want other people to benefit from that too," he said.

"A lot of what we do is very sensitive, but I like to make training sessions real, and fun - and a two-way process that involves listening as well as passing on skills."

Away from work Matt enjoys following football - he is a Manchester United fan - and used to play as a midfielder in a Sunday team.

But most of his spare time is spent with partner Letesha and their sons George, one, and Harrison, 4.

"Yes I am a Beatles fan, but those names are pure coincidence," he quickly adds - having made the point many times before while answering the inevitable 'Here Comes the Sons' question!