Feeling accomplished – Wes’s story

“Before I joined the Restart Scheme, I felt unmotivated, and this showed in my attendance. My mental health was not in a good way, and this was affecting my wellbeing and overall attitude towards finding work.

“As I got to know my Employment Adviser, Jess, she helped me to believe in myself with praise and support, and I was encouraged to utilise the courses and sessions available. By attending sessions that focused on self-confidence, resilience, proactivity and managing money, it helped me to really see things in a different light. I feel that the self-confidence course helped me to improve my mental health and state overall.”

Like Wes, many participants benefit from coming together in group sessions with like-minded people to improve their employability skills. The in-house courses delivered by the Restart Scheme enable participants to focus on specific skills, to improve their chances of finding sustainable work in their desired job sector.

“Alongside Jess, I met with the Recruitment Manager, Alice, who took the time to discuss suitable job roles with me. We did mock interviews together and she had contacts with local employers who were recruiting. I was receiving more and more positive feedback alongside positive reinforcement from the team, which made me more proactive and pushed me towards finding a role and being more confident in myself.

“I began looking forward to my appointments and was attending multiple times a week. Jess helped me to feel more relaxed about interviews and the feedback from employers, and I now feel knowledgeable about my CV and how to showcase my skills, experience, and ability. The extra time that Jess and Alice have given me to support with my journey to work has now got me two job offers, which I am very happy and grateful for.

“Without their guidance, I would not feel as positive in myself and do not believe I would feel as accomplished. I feel comfortable with the Restart Scheme and it’s nice that we can have a laugh together whilst being supported into work.”

We wish Wes the best of luck in his new job in retail!