Elizabeth from Wigan has cleaned up with a sparkling new job, thanks to help from the Restart Scheme. The 49-year-old had 20 years’ experience in the cleaning industry, working in a variety of settings including police laboratories.
But she hadn’t worked for two years due to a ‘horrendous period’ in which she broke her wrist, developed Pancreatitis and went through a traumatic legal ordeal. She was applying for jobs but a dip in her confidence held her back in interviews.
Elizabeth’s Work Coach at Wigan Jobcentre Plus referred her to the Restart Scheme, a government programme, delivered in Greater Manchester by Ingeus, which gives advice to jobseekers along with employability support and access to local jobs.
“When I first sat down with my Restart Advisor Tracy, my confidence had gone and I was financially broken,” said Elizabeth. “I felt like I had to explain everything that had happened to me to prospective employers, but Tracy explained that I didn’t need to, which really helped.”
Elizabeth was shown how to use the Ingeus iWorks system, which gives 24/7 access to a personalised package of online tools to enhance CVs, practise interviewing and lots more.
She and Tracy explored which of her previously gained work skills were transferrable and worked on boosting her confidence. So, when she applied for a job as a cleaner at offices in Manchester, she felt far more prepared.
Restart Advisor Tracy revealed: “Over the course of her time with the Restart Scheme, Elizabeth’s confidence has grown and grown.
“When she interviewed for the role of a cleaner in Manchester city centre, due to the confidence she showed, she was offered the role, which she was ecstatic about and obviously accepted.”
Elizabeth enjoys her new job and is incredibly grateful to the Restart Scheme, which is funding the train fares for her first month of work and bought her work clothes and toiletries.
“The Restart Scheme has been absolutely brilliant, I feel a lot more confident, I wouldn’t have been able to do this job without the support of Tracy and the team,” said Elizabeth.
“Hard work and determination and focussing on my strengths with the right help and support has really paid off for me and I am so thankful.”
Commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, Ingeus is a leading provider of the Restart Scheme in Greater Manchester and Central and West London.
https://ingeus.com/uk/what-we-do/employability/restart-scheme
