Client’s stories
Diana
I was referred to Jobs in Mind by my psychiatrist. My assessment and initial sessions with my caseworker were emotional and taxing, but I soon felt in a very safe and understanding space.
I first talked about my personal and work related past and how depression had affected my life. This still felt very current and was a key reason why I found the prospect of re-entering work fearful. I became sad and regretful. Again saw how dark clouds of repeated depressions have caused me to miss out on so much. That there could be a positive outcome in looking at the past again felt impossible. However as my trust in my caseworker grew, I was able to open up more and gradually feel more positive and lighter about possibilities for my future.
I used a database to find possible types of work to think about. I entered what I could or could not do. No suggestions! Not heartening, but apparently for some people it does help.
We used questionnaires to look at personal and job related skills. This was very useful. To my surprise strengths and desires that I had not been able to acknowledge emerged! This was a breakthrough.
The task of doing a CV was extremely gruelling. Summing up my working life made me feel a failure. However with support and many drafts I did it. Building on the strength of my CV I completed an mock application form and the personal statement yet again felt really hard. Once it was finished I saw I had passed another milestone. I then had a mock panel interview. I dreaded and tried to avoid it! Coached to prepare well, I coped and the feedback will stand me in good stead.
I have been working as a volunteer for a children’s charity. I am taking an ECDL course at Jobs in Mind in a small group and a supportive environment.
Jobs in Mind have helped me to develop and my confidence has grown. I am able to accept my past and no longer feel so ashamed of it. I now look forward with more optimism than I thought possible and plan to apply for part-time work.
Michael
When I joined Jobs in Mind, I was living alone and had been out of work for 14 years. I had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had given up on my dream to become a plumber after illness forced me to give up on a training course in 1994.
My advisor and I set up an Action Plan which helped to clarify my goals and we applied for a number of plumbing courses. It wasn't easy as after making four applications, I still couldn't get onto any of the courses as they were so popular.
We contacted numerous plumbing companies but I was finding it difficult to get anywhere because of my age, lack of qualifications and lack of experience.
Finally my advisor suggested we try a work placement and so we contacted a central London Borough Council. There, we secured a 3-month unpaid work placement where my responsibilities included supervised caretaking duties on a council estate.
This was my chance to impress my supervisor with my enthusiasm and hard work. With the support of my supervisor my confidence grew and soon I was ready for another challenge - finding paid work.
During the job search, I found a vacancy at the London Borough where I was doing my work placement. I applied and was short listed. Despite initial jitters about the interview, which included a written test, a week later, my hard work continued to pay off - I got the post!
After 14 years of unemployment, I finally started full-time work in June 2007 and have not looked back since.