Neurodiversity champion Paula Knall, founder of Sew Assured, chats to us about her journey after being commended in the RAF honours list
School days are often cited as the best of your life, but those who grew up with undiagnosed special educational needs will often tell you the opposite. This is certainly the case for Paula Knall. “I was always very practical,” she tells us, “but I really struggled at school, with undiagnosed ADHD, ASD and dyslexia. I left school with very few qualifications. But I always worked and have been with my current employers for 15 years.”
In fact, such is Paula’s dedication to helping her colleagues that she has just been honoured for promoting neurodiversity in the RAF, a nod to her hard work supporting disabled people to obtain reasonable adjustments and supporting line managers with how to support their staff. Paula, who lives in Princes Risborough with her “long-suffering” husband, standard poodle and three cats, is also reaping the rewards of her newest venture, servicing and repairing sewing machines. She set up Sew Assured last year after finding a gap in the market. “I love to craft,” she explains. “I started sewing in about 2017, when I was given a 1965 Singer sewing machine. I also had a Toyota that I’d made curtains on, when I bought my first home in 1990. I found a gentleman to service them both and he told me that most engineers were of a ‘certain age’ as they were trained by Singer, when they used to have a shop in every town.
“Then, when my machine broke I struggled to find someone to repair it, despite many phone calls, so I decided to learn how to do it myself. Last year, I started to think seriously about how I’d be able to supplement my income and future pension. Knowing my creativity would only ever be a hobby (most crafters will tell you that you can never charge the true cost of what you make, in relation to time, materials and any actual profit) I started to explore becoming an engineer myself. I’ve always been extremely practical and relatively adept at fixing things.”
Paula passed her training and exams – with 100% – and started Sew Assured, at the end of October. “Within a couple of weeks, I’d fixed a few and had several enquiries. I can’t carry out electrical repairs (only mechanical), but I’ve had at least two machines a week in for repair or service and I’ve had great feedback. People are surprised it’s me behind the logo and not a man, but I have an aptitude for technical things and love it. One day I’ll have a machine in that’s 50 years old, the next, something under five. Manufacturers want people to buy new machines but, in most cases, with care and attention, a sewing machine will outlast the user.”
You can find Sew Assured on Facebook or call Paula on 07786 860438.
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