Positive outlook – Matt’s story

When Matt was referred to the Restart Scheme, he told us how being out of work made him feel demotivated with a negative mindset towards finding a job. Here, he tells us in his own words, about his experience on the Restart Scheme, and how he managed to change his outlook for the better.

“During my time on the Restart Scheme, Katrina helped me to update my CV, and I was given training to improve my cover letters, employer engagement, and job applications. I was able to attend job clubs, and careers fairs all arranged by the Restart Scheme, which improved my social skills and helped me to become job ready.

“The support Katrina has given me, has really lifted my spirits throughout my journey back into work. When I joined, I felt negative and demotivated from being unemployed, but I am now in a positive place with a job and goals for the future.”

Our experienced Employment Advisers are on hand to assess job readiness, readiness to change, transferrable skills, and create an individual action plan that is tailored to each participant’s needs and job goals. Our teams identify the participant’s strengths, needs and proximity to entering and sustaining employment.

“My life at home was always considered when arranging appointment times, and Katrina helped me with interviews, whilst encouraging me to see the positives instead of the negatives. Initially, the negatives made me feel very low, so, I benefitted from having regular appointments to discuss my wellbeing, with the consistency of having to attend my appointments, as this mentally kept me going.”

Our Work and Wellbeing Centre provides in-depth health assessments, that can be delivered in a group or one-to-one basis. Our Wellbeing Advisers have links with local health services and deliver sessions on how to manage health at work.

“I met with Skills Trainer, Jess, and completed multiple sessions, and online courses focusing on retail skills and values, and customer services. I attended mock interviews, to strengthen my skills and techniques with interviews, and this helped my confidence over time, resulting in a job offer from a popular local supermarket.

“The team at Restart provided vouchers for me to buy new interview clothes, my travel costs were reimbursed, and I even had a haircut paid for, in preparation for my interview! I cannot thank the team at Colchester enough for their help and support. I have always felt part of the office and greeted with a smile by everyone there.”