Case Study

Whether its volunteering at her local church or helping customers in the busy supermarket where she now works, there’s nothing Martika enjoys more than feeling useful: “I like helping people; when someone thanks me or says I’m a star for finding the product they’re searching for it makes me so happy,” she says. 

 

Now 19, Martika’s adolescent years were dominated by a chronic health condition which saw her leave school at 15 with no qualifications and little hope of employment. With some practical help from the Work and Health Programme in Preston, those hopes are now looking much healthier. 

 

The Work and Health Programme, run in the North West by Ingeus, gives all-round employability support to people with disabilities and health conditions. From mental and physical health advice to practical job seeking support, it helps people manage their conditions around work that’s right for them. 

 

For Martika, who has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), managing severe pain and the tiring impact of her medication has become a way of life. Navigating the local job market, without English or Maths qualifications, and severely dented confidence however needed expert help. 

 

With her parents both living far away, and her long-term partner based in Scotland, Martika has lived independently since she was 16. Yet she still found the Jobcentre “a really intimidating place for a young person” when she began receiving Universal Credit, aged 18. “They referred me to Ingeus though, and everything changed.” 

 

Accessing support from the Ingeus health team gave Martika advice on sleep and routine, diet and nutrition, exercise and mental health aids to manage stress and anxiety. Ingeus enrolled her on functional maths and English courses at Preston college and gave her the confidence, and CV, to apply for local roles. When she gained a trading assistant job at a Bamber Bridge superstore it was the perfect opportunity for Martika to prove herself: 

 

“I’m so glad to be given a chance – to prove I’m hardworking when my health condition prevented me from demonstrating it before. I manage my medication around work and am thriving on having a routine again. I make better use of my days off and absolutely love the busy, sociable buzz of being at work.  

 

“I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do this without the Ingeus team. Everyone was amazing from day one. They reassured me and made me feel genuinely supported. I’m really enjoying college too and reviving my learning. I’ve made some friends on the course and at work and feel like I’ve been able to restart my life finally after seeing my peers move on. At some point in the New Year I hope to take my next step – to college and to work in Scotland, living with my partner.”