A Newcastle firefighter with dyslexia has called on others with the diagnosis to not let it hold them back from applying for a job in the fire service.
George Stockle has been with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) for nearly three years after joining during the pandemic. Based at Byker Community Fire Station, the 29-year-old helps communities across Newcastle stay safe - but the journey to achieving his dream career hasn't been easy.
Diagnosed with dyslexia and motor processing issues as a child, George spent years struggling to overcome challenges related to the learning difficulty and find a career he was proud of. At times he said he felt "embarrassed" about disclosing his struggles through fear of being called stupid.
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After leaving school, George became a qualified personal trainer, worked on building site and in manual jobs – but found he wasn’t being stimulated. He went on to achieve a business degree and became a business development manager, however, he found that desk work didn’t suit him.
That is when he saw TWFRS were recruiting and decided a job that combined physical work and problem-solving could be ideal.
George made sure to tell instructors he was dyslexic from the very beginning and that allowed the service to create an environment in which he could excel, achieving a distinction in his apprenticeship.
“I’ve always wanted more for myself, I thought it was money that I wanted but actually it was to help people and potentially save people’s lives," he said.
“I didn’t want people to think I was stupid because of my dyslexia, but it just means my brain thinks a bit differently.
“When I’m on station because I think differently it means I tackle problems in different ways which helps my watch because we aren’t the same. The apprenticeship was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, it’s a lot of information presented to you but I knew it was worth it.
“And because I told HR from the beginning, I was able to have adjustments that suited my needs and felt supported throughout the whole apprenticeship not just the course.”
TWFRS have a dedicated staff network to neurodiversity who have been working to make the service as inclusive as possible and providing support to those who need it.
Now, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay, is urging others with a neuro-diverse diagnosis to apply for a job as a firefighter.
“We want to support you every step of the way through your career with TWFRS and want you to thrive in your role, so telling us you need help shouldn’t be seen as a weakness as it’s a strength," she said.
“We need people who think differently to come and be firefighters, everyone can contribute so much and a chance to tackle a problem differently creates a better more effective working environment. It can be scary sharing something so personal with people right at the beginning of your journey but it can definitely help you in the future.”
The fire service is currently recruiting for whole-time firefighters on their website and accepting applications until 11.59pm on January 31.
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