Employment Development Service, Staffordshire Work4You, Client Stories Raising the standards in mental health services
Story one When I first met my advisor from the Work4You team I had no confidence and never thought it would be possible that somebody would want to employ me after being out of work for so long. I was scared about how it would affect my benefits. My advisor explained that we would go at my pace and that slowly it would all come together. Slowly I built the confidence to work towards applying for jobs, such as creating a CV I didn t even think I had anything to put on a CV. I applied for a few jobs and to my surprise I gained an interview. I was terrified but my advisor supported me through the whole thing, even going with me and waiting until I was done. To an even bigger surprise I got the job! With the help of my advisor I have stayed in my job for 3 months now. Work has built up my confidence, allowing me to get out and about and interact with people. It also looks good on my CV so I can apply for more jobs in the future and of course earn my own wage! 2
Story two I came to Work4You through my Psychiatrist who referred me, to help me find work. I do not speak very good English as I am Portuguese. I met with my advisor with my son who helped translate what work I was looking for. I had lots of cleaning experience but due to my language barrier I did not know where to look for work or how to apply. Because I was not working it was not helping my depression, if I got a job I knew it would help improve my mood. My advisor helped me sort my CV and apply for jobs. I got offered a cleaning job that fitted around my child. It was perfect. Now I am working again and it helps with my mood, I am happy again because I am doing something. Story three I came to Work4You feeling very anxious about my options and about returning to work. They helped me with my CV and helped me find the confidence to apply for jobs. I applied for a few and very quickly I started hearing back. I got a part time job in a shop. My confidence is growing and it s great to be back into a routine again. I know that if I have any worries or problems Work4You are there for me. 3
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Story four I would like to express my gratitude to Work4You, for your assistance in helping me to achieve my objective, which was to increase my hours of employment. Whilst I had some skills, both specific and transferable, both of which I could utilise, I lacked confidence to apply for employment, which prevented me from taking my objective any further. Work4you have provided both support and confidence in me to reach that objective. Work4You have a friendly, non-judgemental and open manner which I found of most value, and they made me see my positive points. Where I would have not been motivated to apply for employment, mainly due to a DBS disclosure, (very negative connotations), they encouraged me to look at my possible employment from the point of view of what I could offer, as opposed to what I had done 5 years ago, i.e. what skills I still retained, regardless of past issues. I am now working almost full time in various roles, I feel useful again and that I have a purpose. I am back on track! 5
Story five I needed a job quickly so that I could support my child, see more of him and have money for myself again. I have only been working with Work4you for a month and already I have got a job! I am working in a factory which is the job I wanted. Work4You advised me and put me in the right direction. They also gave me that push that I needed to get up and do it. Hopefully now I am back in work I can build upon my social skills again, as sometimes I get anxious in busy or large group environments. I am pleased that I have got something to do with my time now and get some sort of routine going so I can juggle it all. Story six I had a period of being really ill and was sectioned for 3 months. I know that paid work keeps me well. My advisor updated my CV and I took it out. Imagine my surprise when a Residential Home saw my CV and offered me an interview 3 days later. I rang my advisor as I was in shock and very anxious, not making much sense on the phone. My advisor calmed me down and arranged to meet in the local library. We completed the application form and practiced interview skills. I kept saying I can t do this, I don t feel well but my advisor gave me confidence. I attended the interview and didn t feel nervous at all. Straight after the interview I was offered and accepted the job. I am now worried about starting the job but I know my advisor will be there for me. 6
Story seven I have never worked due to struggling with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and underlying learning disability. I used to access the local Crisis Team at least once a month, self-harm by cutting and burning myself on an almost weekly basis and regularly used a respite service when I was in crisis, at least once every two months. I have recently started supported permitted work of 8 hours a week for a mental health support service. I have my own caseload and have to travel to attend meetings, carry out presentations to local councils for funding and signpost service users to appropriate agencies. I have not accessed any mental health services for the last 8 weeks. My self-harm urges have lessened dramatically (I have not self-harmed for over 5 weeks) as I feel that I am now worth something. I feel confident in my job role, I use my personal experiences to sympathise with service users and feel like I am a valued member of the work team. 7
Story eight I last worked about 10 years ago and have a varied work history due to problems with drink and drugs when I was younger. I suffer with ADHD, although I was diagnosed with further mental health conditions about 2 years ago. I was sectioned and it was a bad time for me. I always thought I had other mental health conditions, but no one ever listened to me. They could have been stopped a lot earlier I think. I started work in August 2014 when I was working with Work4You. I got a job at a Cash For Clothes in Walsall and it s a good job. I have my bus pass to get there and I work 29 hours a week. I run the shop on my own, it s stressful sometimes but I enjoy it. It was a challenge coming off benefits, however I ve recently claimed tax credits and I m waiting for them to come through. Work has given me a purpose. I ve been discharged from my CPN but can fast track back if I need to. Having a job has helped with my drinking and drug taking too. My mental health has also improved because of work and staying off alcohol. I can t drink on a work night so I am very careful. 8
Story nine I was referred to the Work4You service by the CMHT who I had received support from for over 12 years for anxiety and depression. I had not worked during this time and had spent time in and out of hospital for my mental health condition over this period. I had been a qualified registered general nurse before I had been hospitalised. I wanted to return to work but at the same time had a number of concerns that were acting as a barrier to me. I did not know what area of work I now wanted to pursue, I was scared of letting people down if I could not do the job and scared of failing myself. I was unsure of how my mental health would be viewed by an employer and how I could get a job when there were other people who hadn t got mental health issues also applying. I was also afraid that if things did not work out with a job that my benefits would be messed up and I would have to go through the reapplication procedure. However, my Mental Health Employment Adviser supported me to find the solutions. I found employment as a Care Assistant in a residential nursing home through supported permitted work. I was ecstatic on being offered the job and felt immensely proud, when people ask what do you do? I could reply and say what I did rather than say nothing. I feel the job had given me purpose, self-confidence and self-respect. This was also reinforced by the CPN who said that she could not believe the change in me in terms of my confidence. The CPN also said that something had happened recently in my personal life where previously this would have led to me having to be hospitalised but I had worked my way through it. The CPN put this down to my increased self- confidence and self- belief that my new job had given me. I also felt more in control of my financial situation as the extra income could now pay for the bedroom tax that I would shortly incur as my daughter planned to leave home. 9
Story ten I was referred to the Work4You service by the CMHT where I had received support from them for over 6 years for anxiety and depression. I had not been in paid employment for 7 years. I had suffered an industrial accident which had led to half my leg being amputated. I can walk using a prosthetic leg and stick. Although I wanted to return to work I was concerned about how both my physical and mental health would be viewed by employers and initially did not feel that I had much of a chance of being offered paid employment. My aim was to work part-time in the retail sector as a customer assistant. My Mental Health Employment Adviser supported me to achieve my aims and address my concerns. With my consent my Mental Health Employment Adviser had made contact with a national supermarket in the local area to enquire about vacancies within the store and to inform them that she was working with a client who was looking for a part-time customer assistant role. The manager informed her that vacancies would be coming up within the next couple of weeks and although she could not see me before an application had been submitted to her online, she would take my details and if I met the criteria she would offer me an interview. Upon the vacancy being advertised my Mental Health Employment Adviser supported me to apply online. I was then offered an interview and subsequently offered the job. 10
Story eleven I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar and have been working with Work4You for the last 4\5 weeks. My goal is to get back to my job as I have been off sick for months, or to find another job as I am not sure if my job is right for me. My current manager does not understand mental health issues. I asked if my advisor could be present in my return to work meeting. At the meeting it became clear that the manager had some funny ideas about mental health issues. He said that with my diagnosis I could no longer work in the kitchen as I couldn t be around hot water and knives incase I endanger other people. He also said that I would cry all the time when I was working my shift and this would be bad for business. My advisor discussed these matters with the manager and explained that would not happen because I just wanted to turn up and do my job. We did not ask for any unreasonable adjustments, just a phased return to work, which the manager refused. The manager refused because he felt it wouldn t work well as I would end up taking sick leave again like I have before. As this is now impacting on my mental health issues, I have decided to resign. I really want to have a job in care, which my advisor is now helping me look for. I have updated my CV and I am looking forward to applying for jobs. My advisor has said I will be a very good worker for any company. I am now beginning to believe this. 11
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Story twelve I had worked for the same factory for 27 years when I became unwell. Firstly, with a heart problem and then mental health issues. I was no longer able to do the heavy manual lifting the job required. The employer was not helpful and said he could not offer me any other work and to go on the sick. There was other work I could have done such as working in the canteen. I felt useless after all these years and this is how I am treated. My therapist referred me to Work4You. My advisor gave me hope and we discussed different types of paid work. I got a job offer within three weeks and I have now been working as a part time carer in the community. I have four gentlemen to visit and I love my job. In December, I was called into the office and was really surprised to be told that I had been awarded Providing a Service of Excellence and Going the Extra Mile. Three of my clients had nominated me! I felt so honoured and received a certificate and a voucher for a meal for two. This is the first certificate I have ever had. At the start of January I was asked if I would like a full time position in a residential care home. I had not applied for this job. I have attended a two day induction course and I have decided to take a few shifts to see how it goes before I make up my mind whether to take this job. I am still receiving In work support from Work4You. It is good to talk to someone about my job. 13
Story thirteen I have been off work for over a year. I thought I had lost my job as I became very unwell at work and did things I now feel so guilty and bad about. My CPN referred me to Work4You. My Work4You advisor found out that the company I worked for 11 years had kept the job open for me. My advisor arranged a meeting with my manager, Area Director, HR and myself to look at my return to work. We all agreed at the meeting for me to return a few hours a week to start in January. I would start as a new member of staff as there have been lots of changes for me to learn. My manager, my advisor and myself have agreed an action plan, so I know what I am doing for the first 4 weeks and what is expected of me. My advisor is helping me with the e-learning as I started to feel very overwhelmed with everything. I still can t believe that my manager is giving me a second chance and I do feel anxious about everything. But I know I have help and support from my advisor. 14
Story fourteen I have never worked due to struggling with my bipolar disorder. I was home schooled from age 14, and led to believe that I was better kept away from the public and staying at home as I may become ill at any time. I started working with Work4You not really knowing what I wanted to do and not really believing that I could actually get a job. My advisor and I updated my CV and as I was talking to my advisor one day about caring for my elderly Grandparents, one with Dementia, and how much I had enjoyed this. My advisor suggested to me looking for jobs in care, and the more I thought about this, the more it seemed a good idea. My advisor supported me to apply for a job with a home care company, and I was so surprised when I got an interview! I met with my advisor before the interview and they practiced some interview skills with me. I was so nervous, but my advisor kept telling me I could do this. The company quickly called me and told me I had the job! I have now been in work 2 months, working 12 hours a week and I love it. I enjoy meeting new people and I have quickly built up a rapport with my clients. I meet with my advisor monthly, and I enjoy having someone to talk to about my job. 15
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