This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
- Baby Isaac was found to have Down’s syndrome while still in the womb, but his parents knew they wanted to keep him.
- With help from the Seashell Trust, Isaac is now living out his dream of working in a kitchen – even getting to partner up with top chef and MasterChef winner Simon Wood.
- Isaac and Simon worked together at a fundraising event for Seashell – held to spread the word £2.5million is needed to reach the funding target for a new specialist college
Pictured: Isaac’s PA Caroline Swaffer, Isaac, and chef Simon Woo
HIS PARENTS felt they were potentially being influenced to have an abortion – but now Isaac Beckett is living out his dream working in a kitchen, and even got to cook alongside top Manchester chef and MasterChef winner Simon Wood.
Isaac, now aged 23, has Down’s syndrome and when doctors and nurses found out about his condition while he was still in the womb, parents Chrissi and Lee felt they were urged to have an abortion. They were given a week to decide – seven days of torment, both living in fear the other would choose to take the advice.
But thankfully Isaac was a much-wanted baby and both parents couldn’t contemplate a life without him. And not only has Isaac thrived thanks to his education at Seashell Trust’s Royal College Manchester – a specialist college for young adults with complex disabilities – he is now pursuing his dream career in catering.
And earlier this month he was working alongside renowned Manchester chef Simon Wood at a fundraising dinner for Seashell, which was held at the charity’s base in Cheadle Hulme.
Dad Lee Beckett said: “The doctors and nurses said to us ‘you’ve got a baby with Down’s syndrome, go away and decide what you want to do’. But they were pushing us towards the side of abortion. They gave us seven days to make up our minds. We were both petrified that each of us was going to say ‘terminate’, knowing we didn’t want to.
“We went back, told them we were going ahead with it, and then he was born on the 8th October.”
When Isaac, who lives in Marple, was a toddler he experienced some early learning development delays and struggled with motor skills. But it wasn’t until he was in a mainstream primary school and teachers tried to teach him the curriculum that problems really started.
Mum Chrissi Foran said: “I’m not sure mainstream school was the right decision. He was then diagnosed with ADHD and that was a terrible period at home and at school. He was very disruptive, he was hurling things at kids. They were trying to teach him the curriculum and he was refusing to do it. “
Understandably his parents feared for his future. But when Isaac was old enough to attend Royal College Manchester at Seashell’s base in Cheadle Hulme, they were given hope for Isaac.
Lee said: “We knew we’d made a big mistake [with mainstream school] and knew we’d have to look at a special supportive environment for Isaac.
“I’d come across Seashell many moons ago, and the more I was having arguments with the Education Authority the more I could see Seashell was the right place for Isaac.”
Isaac was able to attend Seashell’s college for three years and graduated in July 2024. There he was able to learn mechanisms for communication and thanks to the dedicated staff his behaviour became markedly calmer and he was able to come off his ADHD medication. Thanks to Seashell, he gained valuable life skills and graduated on the Employment Pathway. And the best news was when he graduated, he didn’t have to say goodbye to Seashell for good, as he now works in the kitchen at Seashell’s Royal School Manchester – also at the Cheadle Hulme site. He also works in his dad’s shop and loves being part of the community.
Chrissi said: “I have very strong gut feelings and I knew from day one Seashell was the right place for Isaac. He was incredibly sad to leave, but he really enjoys working in the kitchen there now.
“Seashell is the place for him. They are wonderful. I just can’t praise Seashell enough. Everybody is smiling, everybody is happy, the kids are happy, the staff are happy. It was everything I expected it to be and more. Much more.”
And last week, Isaac was working in the kitchen for a fundraising event held at Seashell. The dinner was for people who might consider supporting Seashell’s Transformation Project – a huge redevelopment project to completely overhaul the education and residential buildings and create new, fit-for-purpose buildings which are more accessible. Currently, work is underway to build the Ged Mason Building, which will be the new home for Royal College Manchester when it opens in early 2026. The charity has £2.5million left to raise to complete the project.
Lead donor and Seashell’s new President Ged Mason MBE said on the evening: “It’s an absolute privilege to support Seashell.
“We all know the great work the school and college do. But as an employer it’s more than that – it’s getting students ready for employment and a future beyond Seashell. Most people can overlook what the student’s capabilities are, and they think it’s too hard [to employ them]. Like Isaac’s story has shown, they do add value and they are fantastic.”
The event, hosted by Seashell supporters and presenters Gethin Jones (BBC’s Morning Live) and OJ Borg (BBC Radio Two), was a great success and visitors loved seeing Isaac in action.
Chef Simon Wood, who has worked alongside Isaac for two Seashell events said: “This was my second year working with Isaac and he has come on a lot in 12 months. He was really chatty, really engaging and he was good fun. He was picking micro herbs, he was plating up starters – he’s really got into it and he deserves a big ‘well done’.”
If you’d like to donate to Seashell and support the college build click here.