A young man with cerebral palsy, who had lost hope in finding employment, has recently secured a modeling position after being featured in a BBC documentary. Elliot Caswell expressed that he felt both “nervous and excited” about this new opportunity during an interview on BBC Breakfast.

The journey began when BBC video journalist Rachel Price spent five years documenting Elliot’s life, having met him on a flight in 2019. In the BBC iPlayer documentary titled A Life of My Own, the now 25-year-old shared his challenges in securing work. On the day the documentary aired, a senior art director from Primark was watching BBC Breakfast and was inspired by Elliot’s story. Recognizing his potential as a model for an upcoming clothing line, the art director reached out to him via social media through a modeling agency.

Elliot recently traveled to Manchester for a two-day photo shoot, accompanied by Rachel. She shared her admiration for Elliot’s transformation from a shy individual who relied on his mother for support to someone who illuminated the set with his smile and humor. During the interview, Elliot emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the workplace.

Chris Caswell, Elliot’s mother, remarked that modeling plays to Elliot’s strengths, allowing him to showcase his personality. She noted that since the release of the documentary, Elliot’s life has dramatically improved. “Elliot may have some limitations, but he has so much to offer. He thrives in customer service roles,” she stated, highlighting that he possesses valuable skills but requires some assistance to secure employment.

Elliot mentioned that while he is open to future modeling opportunities, he is particularly interested in customer-facing roles. His ideal job would be related to Newcastle United, the football team he passionately supports. Photographer Esmé Moore, who also lives with cerebral palsy, found it remarkable that this was Elliot’s first modeling shoot. She commented on how easy it is to capture someone with strong character on camera.

Charlie Magadah-Williams, Primark’s head of diversity and inclusion, noted the company’s commitment to hiring diverse models for their campaigns and praised Elliot as an ideal candidate. She expressed excitement in witnessing his journey and emphasized Primark’s dedication to enhancing accessibility for both employees and customers alike.