Josh Puglia is the Co-Chair of Grace Eyre’s Board of Trustees – the first person with lived experience of a learning disability and/or autism to lead our Board. Learn about his story and how Grace Eyre has helped to support his success.
Josh originally came to Grace Eyre in 2020 and took part in some sessions at the allotment and worked with our job coach. He developed skills in time-keeping, first aid and CV-writing, as well as interacting with other people.
During his placement, Josh also supported the Employment Team with editing scripts for a training video. He said:
“I enjoyed editing the scripts the most, this was interesting and something that I have watched before at college, people brainstorming ideas, it was nice that I was part of it this time.”
Becoming an Ambassador and Tech Manager
Josh went on to get involved with the Grace Eyre Ambassadors, representing Grace Eyre, helping to gather views of the people we support and leading campaigns. This helped him to learn to speak up for himself more:
“I’ve learnt self-advocacy at Grace Eyre and become better at speaking up for myself and developing and sharing my point of view.”
Josh is now the Tech Manager for Grace Eyre Purple Productions events team, helping to run events such as the Purple Clubhouse. This involves managing all the DJ and audiovisual equipment, doing compatibility testing for devices and cables, and setting up equipment for karaoke and live performances, as well as being a DJ himself. He has also started and helps run the new Gaming Night at Grace Eyre.
Joining the Board of Trustees
In 2023 Josh became a Trustee on the Grace Eyre Board and in 2025, Josh joined Anna Cooley as the Board’s Co-Chair – the charity’s first with lived experience of a learning disability and/or autism.
The professional and leadership experience he had gained both as an Ambassador and with Purple Productions was invaluable in helping him to take on the new role. He also learnt a lot from Grace Eyre’s trustee training for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people interested in Board-level roles, which taught him what to expect:
“The training is useful for new trustees coming in. It helps you be prepared for board meetings. It helps you to understand what is being talked about.
“I became a trustee because I’m a very big advocate for people who are not only autistic but with learning disabilities and it is very important because you get a say and have your voice heard at board level.”
Josh’s other roles and interests
Outside of Grace Eyre, Josh works at a Guild Care shop and has roles on the Brighton and Hove Autism Partnership Board as Co-Chair, Govia Thameslink Railway’s Access Advisory Panel, where he advises on accessibility, and Carousel’s Blue Camel Club Committee, where he helps plan themes for upcoming club nights.
Josh loves going to the theatre and has a passion for horse riding, which he has been doing for 27 years. He competes in e-rider competitions every month and was thrilled to recently achieve a top ten place.
Learn more about:
- Our Voices and the Ambassadors
- Our Trustees
- Trustee Training
- Purple Productions
- Help with skills for employment