New-found confidence - Jackie’s story

When Jackie joined the Restart Scheme, she had low confidence as a result of being unemployed for nine years. She met with Employment Adviser Junior, who got to know her on a more personal level and discussed her situation at home and her future employment goals.

Jackie shared that she had recently struggled with depression, and talked about how this affected her job search and motivation to work. Junior discussed the support methods available to her and prioritised her health and wellbeing. He shared: “When Jackie told us of her depression and loneliness, she realised these were linked and to combat this, and with support from our Wellbeing team she successfully completed about 45 course sessions with Skills Trainer, Derek, helping her to socialise and familiarise herself with being around others.

“Alongside this, Jackie had an opportunity to volunteer at her local Baptist Church, which enabled her to do a lot of goodwill actions and which she told us had positively affected her depression.

“Integrating herself into the community in this way also helped with Jackie’s employability skills. I scheduled weekly meetings with Jackie so we could regularly catch up and touch base on her health and wellbeing.

“Throughout her time on the Restart Scheme, Jackie’s character blossomed and continued to grow with confidence as she applied for jobs with her new CV. Jackie found her dream role as a Teaching Assistant at a local school of her choice, and after preparation with mock interviews she had a very successful interview with her new employer!

“Jackie is an absolute credit to herself, she used every ounce of self-motivation to overcome her own battles, to achieve so much within her time on the Restart Scheme. She is now beaming with newfound confidence!”

Jackie told us: “Before I joined the Restart Scheme I was in a deep depression, but I felt that working on myself and adding things to my CV began to lift my spirits and realise my potential. I gained qualifications and skills and began to apply for jobs that suited me.

“I am now loving my new role as a Teaching Assistant and cannot wait to return after the summer holidays.”