Prior to PL becoming a participant on Thrive into Work, she was working as a customer service advisor for a high-pressured daylight systems company. PL was a victim of domestic violence which eventually impacted her employment and her mental health. After almost a year unemployed, she realised that getting back into work would play a big part in healing herself and having a purpose to get up each day. PL was referred to the service by her work coach at the job centre.
PL and I worked together over the next few weeks to build her confidence and ensure she was ready to start her employment search. We covered various steps in the employment journey such as CV writing, job application skills, interview techniques and disclosure. Disclosure was the most delicate area as we had to dig into the past, we needed to explain the gap in employment effectively but privately. As a long-term effect of domestic violence, my participant struggled with anxiety and panic attacks. PL consented to this information being shared within the disclosure because it supports the request for reasonable adjustments within the workplace.
A couple of interviews later, PL was offered a role as a customer service advisor working for a very popular furniture company. We put together an ‘in work support plan’ and discussed reasonable adjustments to be put forward to the new employer, which were put into place by the new employer thanks to the guidance Thrive into Work were able to offer. PL has now been in her new role for 7 weeks.
‘Without support from my employment specialist, I would’ve given up with job searching. Since coming out of a bad relationship, I haven’t felt good enough and didn’t have any get up and go. Kayleigh’s encouragement and patience helped me to rebuild my confidence and find work which has brought routine and happiness back into my life.’ PL – Thrive into Work participant
