Rita’s story

Rita was struggling to find work before accessing our Into Work programme. With tailored support from Mental Health UK, she has built her confidence and is now thriving in a customer-facing role.

"For the first time, I felt comfortable interacting with the public. "

Challenges accessing work

I first accessed the Into Work programme last year. Living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, cranial hypertension (a build-up of pressure around my brain), and learning difficulties, I found it very difficult to find work and attend job interviews. I had a goal of working in retail or customer service, but I was worried about standing up for long periods of time and my low confidence.

Building confidence through support

Through Into Work, I received weekly support calls, attended peer support groups, and in-person job fairs. This really helped me to build my confidence, communication skills and independence, whilst also giving me a sense of routine.

I started my journey into employment by volunteering in a few different places, from a local charity to a museum. I learnt how to collaborate with other volunteers, work front-of-house and handle visitor enquiries.

The volunteer reception role at the museum was a real turning point for me. For the first time, I felt comfortable interacting with the public. I got positive feedback from staff and visitors, and noticed I could stand for long hours without feeling tired or needing to sit down.

When I volunteered at the job fair, I didn’t request a single rest break, even though I thought I’d need frequent periods sitting down. It really showed me how far I’d come in my social confidence, self-belief and stamina.

I felt confident about considering paid employment in hospitality and was put forward for a 12-week customer service placement in a café. The recruitment process involved a video interview and a trial shift, which went really well. I was so anxious when I first joined, but by the third week, my Employment Engagement Officer told me how enthusiastic and confident I looked whilst serving customers. After work, I still attend the Thursday peer support groups, sharing my journey to motivate others on the programme.

This experience has shown me that with the right support and opportunities, it’s possible to build confidence step by step, moving closer to the kind of work you hoped to do.

Rita