'I thought I'd end up rotting away - but this has changed my outlook on life'

Dylan dropped out of school at 14. When he went to college, it was a similar story – lacking the right support for his disabilities, he left within a few weeks.

The Gorton teenager who has autism and dyspraxia says that for years, he hardly left the house other than to take photos in town once or twice a week. He felt uncomfortable at college and found it hard to get up in the morning leading him to conclude that he'd never get a 'proper job' and instead spend the rest of his life at home, claiming benefits and looking for freelance work.

"There were points where I thought I'd end up rotting away," he said.

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But that all changed when he began an apprenticeship with Digital Advantage, a charity that helps young people with disabilities looking to start a career. And now, he has helped set up a new specialist college for people with disabilities.

The Digital Independent Specialist College, or DISC, opened in Manchester city centre last September and is the first of its kind in the UK offering young people with additional needs learn in a small-scale, supportive environment. Dylan is now one of the governors at the college and he mentors students too.

He says this experience has changed his entire outlook on life. And not only is Dylan more positive about his job prospects, but his social life is thriving too.

"I really see my future as brighter and more possible," he said, speaking at the college. "I'm pretty positive in the next 10 years I'll have a job – I'll have a life."

Sat next to him, Andy Lovatt looks tearful. The CEO of Digital Advantage, who co-founded DISC has a son with autism, so he's passionate about this project.

According to the