Ben's journey

Ben's Story.

What DICE Enterprise Means to Ben?

Ben spent a long time feeling like life was happening around him, not with him.

He lives with Down syndrome, and for years he felt judged before people even got to know him. That judgement builds up. It chips away at confidence, it makes you second-guess yourself, and it can leave you feeling trapped in a routine that does not feel like a real life. For Ben, that began to turn into depression, because he never felt like he had the freedom, or the opportunity, to do the things he actually wanted to do.

When Ben found DICE Enterprise in Doncaster, something shifted.

Not overnight. Not like a film. But in the real way, the way that matters, through being welcomed, being included, and being treated like he belongs.

DICE is where Ben feels seen, not labelled

At DICE Enterprise, Ben is not introduced as “someone with a disability”. He is Ben. He is greeted properly. He is remembered. People notice when he is there, and they notice when he is not.

That might sound small, but when you have spent years feeling overlooked, it is massive.

DICE is a place where Ben does not feel judged. He does not feel rushed. He does not feel like he has to prove he deserves to be in the room. He can just be himself, and that is where confidence starts to grow again.

DICE Enterprise is a Doncaster-based non-for-profit social enterprise providing activities, events, and services for adults with a disability, creating opportunities for people to connect, and live fuller lives. 

DICE gave Ben the thing he had been missing, real opportunity

Ben did not need sympathy; he needed access.

• Access to friendship.

• Access to community.

• Access to experiences that make you feel proud to be alive.

DICE gave him that. Through inclusive activities and day opportunities for adults, Ben finally had something to look forward to, and somewhere he could feel safe trying new things. DICE runs adult day centres in Doncaster, designed for adults aged 18+ with a disability to enjoy a proper day centre experience, with connection, routine, and meaningful activities. 

And when Ben started having those opportunities, his mood changed. Not because life became perfect, but because life started feeling possible again.

DICE is Ben’s social life, his confidence, and his purpose

The biggest thing Ben would tell you is this, DICE is not just somewhere he goes, it is somewhere he belongs.

It is the difference between sitting at home feeling stuck, and getting out into Doncaster with people who genuinely care about you.

It is the difference between feeling judged, and feeling valued.

It is the difference between existing, and living.

Ben has built friendships at DICE that have helped him feel less alone, and more confident in himself. That matters, especially when loneliness and social isolation are recognised challenges across communities, and there are local networks in Doncaster working to reduce isolation and bring people together. 

Why this matters, for Ben, and for Doncaster

There are support services across Doncaster for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people, including council services and community teams. 

But what DICE Enterprise brings is something you cannot replace with forms or appointments, a community that feels like family, and experiences that feel normal, exciting, social, and real.

For Ben, DICE means he is not on the outside anymore.

It means people see his personality before anything else.

It means he is included, not tolerated.

It means his life feels bigger, brighter, and worth getting up for.

Ben’s message, in his own words, in spirit

If Ben could sum up what DICE Enterprise means to him, it would be something like this,

I’m not judged here. I’ve got mates. I’ve got things to do. I feel happier. I feel like I matter.

And that is exactly why DICE exists.