Rediscovering motivation and finding work as a Care Assistant
Mia, 20, from Rotherham, faced significant challenges finding work as she cared for a family member. After being unemployed for 18 months, she joined the Restart Scheme in February 2024, where it is delivered by our partners, The Growth Company.
When Mia met her Employment Advisor, Laura Mellor, she was struggling with motivation stemming from her ongoing battle with insomnia. Her lack of sleep was impacting her energy levels, cognitive function and emotional wellbeing. She was fighting feelings of fatigue, irritability and difficulty concentrating, all of which reduced her ability to engage with tasks effectively.
Unemployment was also exacerbating her struggles as she had no routine and felt she had no purpose or direction. Without a clear goal in mind, Mia found it difficult to apply for jobs, upskill or pursue personal goals.
Identifying Mia’s challenges, Laura explained: “Fatigue caused by insomnia made even simple tasks like researching job opportunities, updating a resume, or preparing for interviews, feel overwhelming or unachievable for Mia.”
Mia had previous experience working as a call handler for the RSPCA and the team were able to support Mia by enrolling her in motivation sessions and offering practical strategies to help boost her confidence.
The employer engagement team helped Mia secure a support worker role a month after joining the scheme. However, delays at the workplace led to the start date being postponed indefinitely, which impacted her confidence.
Despite this, Laura and the team encouraged her to explore other options: “Mia had always shown an interest in the care sector, so that is what we focused on, developing her transferable skills and building up her knowledge with an online course.”
Laura also invited Mia to attend recruitment days for support worker roles and enrolled her in a Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care online course which enhanced her existing skillset.
Reflecting on the support, Mia added: “Laura helped me complete an online course, which massively prepared me for the role. She also provided interview preparation and support with interview clothing. She even dropped off bus tickets at my house as I was unable to get into the office to collect them.”
Mia’s determination paid off when she secured a Health Care Assistant position at Exemplar Healthcare in September 2024.
Mia shared: “Laura and the team at The Growth Company were consistent and fair and pushed me towards success in finding a job role.”
