Jennifer is empowered to build a new career
Through employability programmes like the Restart Scheme, our dedicated teams continue to work tirelessly, helping people to overcome their barriers and build careers in sectors which are meaningful to them.
When Jennifer joined the Restart Scheme in March 2023 after being unemployed for a year, she was uncertain of her ability to work again because of her ongoing health challenges.
She explained: “Having osteoarthritis in my knees and finger joints affected my mobility and then I found out I had carpal tunnel where I was unable to lift anything. At the time I was working in the care sector which involved a lot of walking between clients and taking care of their needs but because of my health issues I couldn’t continue.
“Having to stop doing a job that I loved left me feeling really low and depressed. I didn’t want to leave the house and became isolated. I didn’t want to talk to people or answer the phone.”
To help her get back on track, Jennifer started working with our partners, Reed in Partnership, who deliver the scheme on our behalf in Derby.
Despite her uncertainty about the type of work she would be able to do because of her health challenges, Jennifer welcomed the support and guidance on offer, enthusiastically attending in-house employability development sessions, completing online employment workshops and creating a new CV.
As Jennifer had previously worked in domiciliary care and volunteered as a youth support worker helping children and young adults, she was encouraged to think about how these skills could be transferred to another role in the workplace.
After completing wellbeing sessions and attending recruitment events with employers in the education sector, Jennifer identified this as a viable option to find work and started to feel more confident about her future.
Jennifer continued: “When I first joined the Restart Scheme, I was given so many options and choices. The support on offer gave me hope and inspired me to think that I could return to the labour market.
“I was thinking that I would like to become a teaching assistant and there were courses available to me. I love children and they are so inspirational, so being a teaching assistant seemed a natural fit.”
Following the completion of several online courses, Jennifer successfully interviewed for a teaching assistant position. At the same time, she had been volunteering in her local community shop, and her Employment Advisor met with the shop owner, Enisha Basi, to explore the possibility of turning this into paid employment.
Enisha explained: “Jennifer is committed, hardworking and really good with people so when asked whether we would consider offering her paid employment we didn’t hesitate as she’s a real asset and we really want to support her as much as we can.”
Jennifer is thrilled to now have a paid position with flexible hours, which will enable her to achieve a steady income while she pursues her new career in teaching.
Reflecting on her journey, Jennifer said: “Volunteering in the shop helped keep me focused and build my confidence. I was happy to volunteer but even happier to be paid, and I feel blessed to be able to work in the shop and have the flexibility to pursue my goal of becoming a teaching assistant. Enisha has always been supportive and encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
“The Restart Scheme team has 100% changed my life. I feel incredibly grateful as I thought I would never work again and would have given up. I’ve been inspired to believe that anything is possible when you’ve got the right support around you, and you can achieve no matter what has happened in your life. I’m excited because this is just the beginning for me.”
