As part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, our Works4U team in the North East is able to deliver employability support for local residents.
In partnership with the North East Combined Authority, our programme focuses on supporting economically inactive residents of the area to improve and enhance their confidence and skills, with a view to progressing them towards the labour market.
Each participant on our programme is allocated their own Key Support Mentor in order to guide, coach and enable them to make positive life choices, as well as upskill themselves with the knowledge that we will continue to support them long after the programme has finished.
One participant who recently received our support as part of the programme is Daniela from Newcastle.
Daniela's story
Having experienced unemployment for over three years, Daniela had felt “closed off from the outside world” and “often felt inadequate and fearful” about returning to work.
She arrived on our Works4U employment support programme in the North East low in confidence and was seeking the support of our team to rediscover her confidence when applying for roles and when in interview situations.
This programme is unlike any other assistance I have received in recent years. It is infinitely more complex and comprehensive, providing profound support in various aspects for those looking to re-enter the job market.
I have been gradually guided to reconnect with my surroundings and shift my negative mindset. Through this process, I was encouraged to reflect on myself, my thoughts, and my feelings. This introspection has increased my self-awareness and better equipped me to face the challenges of returning to work.
Help from dedicated Key Support Mentor
As part of the programme, Daniela was provided with a dedicated Key Support Mentor, who she says helped in developing her overall confidence and aided her with key employability support.
Meetings with my work mentor have been the most enjoyable experience. He has played an incredible role in my job search process. He established a relationship of trust and addressed various issues comprehensively.
I believe it is essential to have a single person guiding you during your job search. This facilitates constructive dialogue, unlike in other centres or programmes. My work mentor has helped me develop trust in others and has boosted my self-confidence.
Further support provided
Daniela’s Key Support Mentor also provided her with advice and guidance on other issues that were effecting her daily life, as well as her mental wellbeing, something which she was immensely grateful for.
He supported me through active listening and established a positive relationship, making me feel empathically understood. He guided me in my job search by selecting the most suitable opportunities and suggested volunteering as a way to ease into the workforce with less anxiety. He also helped identify ways to reduce excessive expenses by changing utility suppliers.
Additionally, he focused on my mental wellbeing by proposing leisure activities that allowed me a mental recharge and to pursue a healthier lifestyle. He took care of administrative tasks, such as applying for a DBS check and providing references. Throughout the process, he was never superficial, instead, he approached my case with great professionalism and dedication.
Key learnings and next steps
Daniela concluded her feedback about her experience by reflecting on some of the key learnings she gained from her time on the Works4U programme, and as a result, now believes she’s in a better situation in order to successfully return to full-time employment in the near future.
I have learned to not be afraid of making decisions. I have learned to focus on the first step of a process and address one problem at a time, without getting bogged down by potential future issues. I have gained more confidence in both myself and others. I have also learned to listen to myself and to be kind to myself.
I have learned to avoid self-sabotage and to give myself little praise instead. I realised that there are people who appreciate me. I learned to set realistic goals and to celebrate my achievements when I reach them. I have also developed my emotional resilience. While I still have much to accomplish, I am on the right path and now possess the tools I need to succeed.
Looking to get back into work?
If you’re currently unemployed, over the age of 19 and looking to get back into work, our range of training courses could offer you a pathway to a new career. Our employment support programmes are also available in multiple areas throughout the UK.
Please contact us here and a member of our team will get in touch to talk through the options available to you.
Back2Work Complete Training provide Pre-Employment Training throughout the UK.
Pre-Employment Training works great as both a recruitment service for employers and an employment service for those who are unemployed.
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