Case Study

After 11 years with her last employer, Debbie recalls feeling anxious about starting afresh at Ingeus back in 2020. In her early 50s at the time, she overcame her creeping concerns of being ‘too old’ for significant change and stepped ably into an employability team leader role in London. Five Ingeus roles and two grandchildren later she became her very own change maker, signing up participants for a new Ingeus employability programme across Richmond and Wandsworth. 

 

“I’ve got used to change at Ingeus,” laughs Debbie, who currently supports the  the South London TrailBlazer programme. “It doesn’t worry me so much now. I’ve always enjoyed seeing the journey that our participants, and my colleagues, make at work. I’m simply on one too. I’ve had opportunities to progress, find the areas I most enjoy, and undertake training. Ingeus celebrates people’s skills; what age bracket you fall into really doesn’t matter.” 

 

The 56 year-old uses her own life experiences, both as a single mum and being over 50, to steer her Ingeus work. Fondly referred to as the BOC (better-off calculation) Queen, she loves nothing more than sharing her benefits knowledge with colleagues and illustrating to Ingeus participants how beneficial part- or full-time work can be to their finances.  

 

She adds: “It’s that lightbulb moment I love the most, when people realise they can successfully combine work with benefits they’re eligible for. That’s vital for the single parents especially; I wish I’d had guidance like that when my daughters were young.  

 

“I also know how easy it is to undersell yourself as you get older. Technology and the job market marches on and some participants just don’t know where to start. I’m here to show them that there is help available and that they have lots to offer.” 

 

Debbie too has benefitted from help during her Ingeus career. Managing the menopause and a painful vascular disease, she has faced some considerable health challenges: 

 

“During the menopause I felt like I had a black cloud over me some days, but there was flexibility when needed in what days, and when, I worked. My manager and team were so supportive. My thrombosis medication too can cause occasional side effects, but again, the support is there. Ingeus is very accommodating. They also offer great health benefits like private GP appointments, eye tests and dental treatment.” 

 

When she’s not busily working with Jobcentre Plus and local charities to help unemployed people join the TrailBlazer programme, Debbie has plunged headfirst into a new hobby – swimming.  

“I’ve proved to myself that I’m not too old to try something new,” Debbie adds. “Why does it matter what age you are if you’ve got what it takes to get out there and give it a try?” 

Fancy giving us a try? Search Ingeus Career Opportunities