Julie from Ipswich, Back Into Work After 5 Years

Samantha, a work coach for the Department for Work Pensions (DWP) met with Julie, 47, in August 2018. She had been unemployed for 5 years. Julie admitted at that point she had no interest or motivation to get in to work, “I have fibromyalgia, and when you’ve been out of work for a long time, you get into the mindset of thinking you can’t do it again.”

Samantha and Julie met a few times and discussed her current situation and the support that could be given to help her. Julie was put on a series of workshops where they covered how to put together a CV, how to look for and apply for jobs both offline and online, and how to really sell yourself to an employer. “The course was great, I learnt that even after being out of work for a while that I still have transferrable skills and getting back into work is achievable”.

The workshops are developed by Futures and run every week in a group setting. Each one concentrating on a different topic of employability – but with the idea that customers would be participating and sharing learning and experience, not just listening to staff deliver. They are designed to complement the 1-2-1 sessions and help people move forward in their journey quickly, but also more prepared.

Samantha noticed that as the sessions went on Julie was clearly displaying a more positive attitude and seemed happier each time she would come in. In their next one to one meeting, Julie said she felt extremely motivated to get in to employment, as she wants to be a good role model for her daughter.

They looked in to many positions together and due to Julie’s previous nursing experience, they found a position for a 111-call handler and applied for it right away. “I have a background in medicine as I used to be a nurse but with my fibromyalgia the long hours in hospital are physically too demanding, so a 111 call handler was a perfect fit.”

Samantha was in no doubt Julie would get the position due to her positive attitude, and Julie did in fact get the position, starting in the New Year. Julie stated that,