Just the beginning – Hanna’s story

When Hanna was referred to the Restart Scheme, she had recently qualified to be a counsellor and had been out of work for a couple of years whist studying. Alongside her studies, Hanna was a single parent and was eager to get back into work to create a routine for herself and her family.

Employment Adviser, Frankie, worked with Hanna to create an action plan on preparing her for work, tailoring her CV and guidance to the counselling job sector. Hanna began her journey on the Restart Scheme, by taking full advantage of the courses that were available to her, and by completing the CV writing and Interview Skills workshops, this boosted her confidence on job applications going forward.

Hanna attended a job fair at her local Restart Scheme office, with her new and updated CV, which is where she met Simon, founder of the Working Minds Charity, and her CV caught his attention. Hanna was invited for an interview, and was successful, she told us:

“It was my first paid opportunity in counselling, and it’s a really nice process to be at the other end, where I’m supporting people who are on the Restart Scheme.”

Now in a full time role, as a Working Minds Practitioner, Hanna has achieved her ambitions of becoming a qualified counsellor and gaining employment in that sector, and whilst earning, she can now create the routine she desired for her family.

“The Restart Scheme was very proactive in helping me find work.”