Case Study

Four decades since her last paid job, Dawn - a rounders-loving nana and volunteering veteran from Bolton - is playing to her strengths by returning to work. Helped to put her many years of community volunteering to good use by the Restart Scheme, which supports local jobseekers into work, it’s a new team and a fresh innings for Dawn as a kitchen assistant at a local high school.  

 

A familiar face in the local area, Dawn has volunteered at Wally’s Clubroom for the past 30 years, supporting events, rounders’ leagues, and after school clubs. She prepares community meals at her local church and helps out with her two grandchildren. Yet aged 58 and having stopped paid work in the mid 1980s to bring up her family, Dawn feared she wouldn’t have the experience, confidence, or digital skills to find or impress prospective employers. 

 

Attending the Restart Scheme, delivered locally by Ingeus, was her first tentative step towards work and, despite initial nerves, Dawn soon built a trusting relationship with her employment advisor, Yahya. She describes him as “amazing - he gave me lots of confidence and never pressured me”. 

 

Yahya helped Dawn learn how to navigate websites, make online applications, and prepare for interviews. Dawn also attended an Ingeus Intuitive Thinking Skills course specifically aimed at participants aged over 50 which looked at mindset, transferrable skills, motivation and communication. As her confidence grew, she stepped beyond her comfort zone, using public transport and attending frequent Ingeus job fairs.  

 

Finding the kitchen assistant vacancy online, Yahya helped Dawn apply and practiced the STAR interview technique in preparation. Following her successful application, Yahya helped Dawn develop a bus travel plan, with the Restart Scheme covering her initial expenses and providing work clothing.    

 

Dawn, who lives with her husband in Bolton, began her new job with the new school year and now works daily, 11am-3pm. She says: 

 

“I’ve always enjoyed being busy and helpful, and thought the time was right to do something for me. I worked in cafes before I had my family but didn’t really know how to start looking again. I thought, being 58, I would struggle to find a job but the Restart Scheme opened a door for me – it was exciting to start a new journey, for myself. 

 

“I went for an induction at the school and have been there working hard every day since. I absolutely love it and feel like I am a big part of the team. The hours are perfect to fit around my family and volunteering, and I feel so much more confident in myself. Age is just a number when you have the right help and outlook.”