This week is Down’s syndrome awareness week, from March 20 to 27, and an opportunity to learn more about people with the condition living and working in Teignbridge.

Tom Sewell has Down’s syndrome. He lives in Teignbridge and works as a laboratory assistant, a paid position he found through the WorkFit scheme, which links people with Down’s syndrome and employers. Tom is also competing in the Special Olympics in Sheffield this summer.

He said: ‘I work as a laboratory assistant at the Environment Agency's National Laboratory Service in Devon. In the laboratory I get rid of water samples that aren't needed anymore and recycle different plastics.

‘It's great to be working here. I wear special clothes and glasses at work to keep me safe.’

Laboratory Manager James Trout is looking for more opportunities for other people with Down’s syndrome to work at the Environment Agency.

He said: ‘I knew our workplace would really benefit from getting involved with WorkFit and I was right. This all came about by thinking differently when a vacancy became available.

‘We could easily have just gone through the motions, but as part of our annual planning cycle we challenged ourselves to do something different.

‘The whole Environment Agency has got behind the initiative and I’m confident our relationship with WorkFit will continue long into the future.’

Down’s syndrome awareness week is an initiative by the national charity Down's Syndrome Association, which provides information and support for people with Down's syndrome, their families, carers and those with a professional interest. The association seeks to improve knowledge and understanding and champion the rights of people with Down's syndrome.