A success story
March 2010
“At our initial meeting 3 months ago F’s confidence on achieving his work goal was extremely low, but the importance of achieving this goal was clearly very high. Now 3 months later F is working in full time employment as a night time carer.
During the last 3 months F and I have worked closely together consistently and continued to meet regularly through a roller coaster journey of job searching, interviews and applications.
I suggested some voluntary work to build his confidence, self esteem and social relationships and the increase in F’s confidence was obvious.
The last and biggest battle was the interviews. F and I prepared many mock interviews and worked really hard on his personal statement which could have been considered difficult - knowing that F had been out of paid employment for a number of years.
Together we went right back to the personal statement and explored different ways we could talk about other meaningful activities.
F was extremely pleased with his job offer and gave some really positive feedback to the Work & Learning Advisor Service. He quoted “this service has been really useful and helpful”.”
"AB's" Experience
January 2010
AB approached the service requesting support with finding part time work.
He described a 25 year history of working as a salesman, ending in a mental health breakdown, due to the stress of his job. His diagnosis, of Bipolar Affective Disorder, meant he could not continue to hold down work. In addition to this AB's physical health suffered and he was treated in hospital for a stroke.
AB met with us on a weekly basis and identified his desire to gain part time work in a low stress environment.
AB has achieved this goal by working collaboratively with the advisor to identify, apply and undertake the interview for work as a gift card merchandiser. AB has now been working for approximately 6 hours a week and continues to meet the advisor for job retention support sessions, where methods for managing anxiety, benefit entitlement and general reviews of the work are conducted.
AB stated that:
“the service has provided me with a foundation to explore my opportunities and a sympathetic listener to offer me support and advice in finding and staying in work.”
“CD's” Experience
August 2008 to date
CD was referred to for support to access education. CD wanted to improve his English, to increase his prospects of entry into higher education, having already obtained a degree in Engineering from his home country. Financial barriers prevented CD from enrolling in a course the previous year. We supported CD in contacting Sussex Language Institute and after assessment was advised that Pre-Masters English was a suitable choice. CD completed a Work & Learning Fund application and he started the course in January 2009.
This has been a great achievement and he has requested support to help him sustain his education. We have worked jointly with mental health services to create an action plan, that will empower CD with his studying and maintaining wellbeing. CD is overcoming barriers to pursuing his goals and is now investigating undergraduate courses.