Case Study

Suspected ADHD, anxiety, caring for a family member, and aged just 18… Sophie, from Stockport, was overwhelmed and looking for work. After brushing up on her interview skills and polishing her CV with support from the Restart Scheme, she’s now in a much-loved job as a cleaner in a local primary school. 

  

Sophie had been unemployed for eight months and applied for more than 50 jobs with no success. Her anxiety was soaring as she received knockback after knockback. It was only after being referred to the Restart Scheme by her local Jobcentre Plus that she received the support she needed. With reassurance and encouragement from her Restart Advisor Connor, Sophie’s confidence and positivity soon returned. 

 

“I struggled a lot with my mental health,” explains Sophie. “The fear of rejection was by far my biggest barrier to finding work – I kept being told ‘no’ for any job I applied for. My anxiety was getting so bad; I was overthinking everything before and after an interview. I remember feeling really nervous when I first joined the Restart Scheme, but I felt so welcome and reassured, and even though I was only 18 at the time I was instantly treated like an adult.” 

 

Connor soon put a tailored plan in place to help Sophie regain her confidence in job hunting. As well as coaching sessions, he organised intensive interview training, including mock interviews powered by Bodyswaps, an innovative AI simulation service. She also took part in wellbeing workshops focused on building her self-esteem and personal resilience. 

 

Sophie, who studied beauty therapy at college, adds: “One of the biggest things I’ve learnt through the Restart Scheme is to not let things bother me. Connor kept reminding me that if I didn’t get a job, there would always be another one.” 

 

Cementing her resilience and transferrable skills further, Sophie also attended Project RISE (Ready, Inspired, Skilled, Employed), a five-day residential programme under the Restart Scheme designed to strengthen participants’ confidence and employability skills. 

 

“It was amazing!” exclaims Sophie. “We did a lot of group workshops and by the end of it, everyone’s confidence had shot up, including mine.” 

 

Alongside her anxiety, Sophie has suspected ADHD. Her inability to sit still for long periods and tendency to fidget have always held her back in jobs. In her new role, however, she’s thriving. 

 

She explains “I’m always on the move with cleaning. The job’s really helped my anxiety too – I was so nervous talking to teachers at the school when I first started, but I’m fine now. 

 

“I’m loving this job! I’m earning a good wage and the hours fit really well with caring for my dad. It was only meant to be a temporary contract, but now it’s been made permanent, and I’m so happy.” 

 

Commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, Ingeus is the lead provider of the Restart Scheme in Greater Manchester and Central and West London. It also partners with Serco, to support the Restart Scheme in Central West Midlands.