Case Study

The Connect to Work programme, delivered by Ingeus on behalf of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton helps people with health conditions and complex issues to find and stay in work. Phil joined the programme after leaving his job of almost 25-years and receiving a lifechanging health diagnosis - both within a month of each other. Struggling with his mental and physical health but desperate to get back to work, meeting the friendly Connect to Work team at a local job fair was finally the lucky break that the dad from Mitcham needed. 

 

Phil’s prolonged ill heath was diagnosed in late 2025 as Sezary Syndrome, a rare and aggressive blood disease. Requiring immunotherapy, a complex cocktail of medication, and an eventual blood transplant, Phil felt he may well be a lost cause when he met with his Employment Specialist Mai, to begin his job search. 

 

“I’ve always been a grafter, sitting at home all day isn’t good for me,” says Phil, who was unemployed for three months. “I’ve held senior positions and know what I’m good at, but equally, I am 50 years old, only have retail experience on my CV, and need time to attend my medical appointments. My immune system is weakened so I can’t travel on public transport, work with children, or in busy public spaces. Who was going to hire me? 

 

“Yet Mai was incredible. She took time to get to know me and understand my requirements. She helped me look at my skills differently and immediately got to work searching for vacancies and chasing up employers. She offered help with workwear, documentation, and expenses. It was nice to have someone reassuring me that there were suitable roles out there, that I wasn’t a lost cause. I can’t praise her help enough.” 

 

Phil subsequently found work as a stockroom manager, behind the scenes of a busy sports store. He manages a small team of people and flexes his hours to accommodate his treatment.  

 

“I enjoy looking after my team and have recruited three new staff members,” adds Phil, who uses his staff discount to keep his two boys and their football team mates in trainers. “It’s tiring juggling work with my treatment but I like the focus it gives me, I’d rather do that than be sat all home all day relying on my wife to pay the bills.” 

 

As Phil continues his treatment and awaits a suitable blood and DNA match for a transplant, he credits Connect to Work, his local men’s walking and talking group, and coaching his son’s under 15’s football team for keeping him on track. 

 

“There’s a lot of stress in my life and having supportive people around me is important,” concludes Phil. “Mai is certainly one of them. We still talk weekly and she’s still sending me different roles to consider for when I’m able to make changes in the future. She is fantastic.”