Building experience - Joshua’s story

Eager to begin his career after university, Joshua faced additional barriers to employment due to a visual impairment and limited work experience. Determined not to let this hold him back, he joined the Restart Scheme and embraced every opportunity to build his confidence, skills, and employability.

The Restart Scheme provides personalised support to help people overcome barriers to employment, ensuring everyone, including those with disabilities and health conditions, has an equal opportunity to build confidence, develop skills, and succeed in work.

Working closely with his Employment Adviser, Skye, Joshua developed the skills and confidence needed to enter employment. Through tailored support, he strengthened his applications, prepared for interviews, enhanced his workplace skills, and gained a better understanding of employer expectations.

Through completing several in-house courses, Joshua built his skills, confidence, and understanding of the opportunities available to him. With support from his Employment Adviser, Skye, he also took part in mock interviews to strengthen his interview technique and prepare for recruitment processes. As his confidence grew and his interest in retail developed, Joshua felt ready to begin applying for roles and take his first steps into employment.

Joshua said: "I'm really grateful for all the support I've received. The appointments and training helped me build my confidence and develop the skills I needed to secure my first job. I'm excited to start this new chapter and see what the future holds."

Through tailored interview preparation, mock interviews and confidence-building support, the Restart Scheme helps people develop the skills, self-belief, and workplace readiness needed to succeed in recruitment processes and secure sustainable employment.

Skye shared: "Joshua has been a pleasure to support. From day one, he’s shown a positive attitude and despite the barriers he faced, he never allowed them to stop him from achieving his goal. Securing his first job is a fantastic achievement, and I am incredibly proud of everything he has accomplished."

Alongside his new job, Joshua continues to pursue his long-term ambition of becoming a professional writer, having already completed a master’s degree in creative writing, he plans to continue developing both his workplace experience and writing skills as he works towards his future goals.

We wish Joshua all the best in his new job and for the future!