Chris' story

"What I learned from this experience is that you aren't alone in this world.Many others may experience similar day-to-day issues that you’re struggling with. "

The Jobcentre referred me to the Into Work programme as they felt I’d benefit from the assistance because of my mental health. My circumstances weren’t great – I felt lost and confused, in need of guidance from someone who was a good listener and had knowledge of the symptoms I was dealing with. I needed support with my social communication, lack of confidence, anxiety and depression.

One challenge I faced initially was being able to confide in someone I didn’t know and share my personal issues with them. I wanted to know that what I shared would be kept between us, to be fully listened to and taken seriously.

Into Work supported me by understanding my needs, such as providing me with access to a quieter environment and regular one-to-one sessions with my Employment Advisor, where we could go over any issues in great detail. Many moments like this stood out to me. I appreciated that Into Work took the time to ensure a particular day and location was viable for us, and made sure I was comfortable.

Whilst on the programme, I learned about CV writing and how to tailor my CV to specific jobs. I feel like I learned a lot about what to include in my CV and got a great sense of what a good layout looks like. I received a suitable amount of job opportunities, was always in contact with new job sites I may not have heard of and was open to new work experiences I wanted to try.

With the support of Into Work, I feel like I understand myself better. I now know my strengths and areas where I need more support. I feel more confident communicating and being open with others, rather than keeping my problems to myself.

What I learned from this experience is that you aren’t alone in this world. Many others may experience similar day-to-day issues that you’re struggling with. Someone will always be willing to help and to listen to your challenges.

I’ve found that the staff from Into Work always listened and offered genuine feedback; they were always willing to help and wanted the best for me. I found some peace of mind and a sense of comfort knowing I had someone I could trust to always be at my side.

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