OKEHAMPTON resident Sarah Jackson is celebrating completing a qualification that will help her establish an independent way of life. Sarah, aged 23, has recently completed St Loye's Foundation's in-house certificate in community confidence and gained a Level 2 qualification in food safety and catering. Sarah lives with broad spectrum autism. She studied with the training charity in Exeter, learning to cook and build her confidence and self-esteem. She has now moved into her own flat after living with and depending on her parents. She is now looking for work experience or a job to further establish an independent way of life. St Loye's Foundation is a national charity based in Exeter for over 75 years, specialising in helping people with health, disability and social issues. The charity provides a range of services including employment training, care and support, and learning and skills, giving individuals the support and practical knowledge they need to access employment. St Loye's tutor Susan Ritchie said: 'Sarah is a lovely girl with impeccable manners. When she came to us her self-management skills were low and she had never cooked anything at all but she took to it well and was delighted to cook some minestrone soup for her parents' wedding anniversary. She also became adept at bread making. 'Her parents, Rachel and Nick, have been wonderfully supportive to Sarah and now recognise that the progress she has made has provided her with an opportunity for independent living. The small strides she has made are, in fact, giant leaps and we are all very proud of her.' If any Okehampton based employer has a part-time retail post available and would like to learn more about helping Sarah, they can call Susan Ritchie on 07544 852418.