"Ingeus has helped me find my confidence again and pick up my life from where I left it before my accident."
Lesley, 45, had been out of work for more than five years after a back injury forced her to give up her job as a garage forecourt operator, a position she had held for 14 years. At a visit to her local community centre, Lesley heard about Ingeus’ Pathways to Work programme, and she arranged an appointment at her local Ingeus office in Galashiels. At this meeting, Lesley explained to her Ingeus advisor, Alasdair, that while her health issues were under control she was unsure how to find and apply for work as she had not done so for more than 20 years.
Despite her misgivings, Lesley was hoping to find work in the care sector as she had recently been looking after an ill family member and felt that her skills and personality suited this kind of work. Lesley and Alasdair decided to focus on finding a position as a care assistant, with a long-term goal of gaining formal qualifications and building a career in this area.
Alasdair explained to Lesley that getting into a routine of job searching activities could improve her motivation and confidence, and they developed a schedule of meetings so he could track her progress and address any issues she might encounter. Alasdair helped Lesley to create a CV and cover letter that highlighted the skills she would bring to a role as a care assistant, such as interpersonal skills, customer service experience and knowledge of the care sector. Lesley made use of the internet, printers, and telephones at Ingeus’ Job Station to search for suitable job vacancies, and with Alasdair’s encouragement she started writing cover letters and sending off job applications.
When Lesley was invited to attend an interview for a position as a care assistant with a national charity, she told Alasdair that she was worried about having to promote herself in person to a prospective employer. Alasdair arranged for Lesley to undertake mock interviews with other Ingeus advisors so that by the time she went to her first interview she felt comfortable with the interview process.
Lesley’s hard work paid off when she was offered the position of full-time care assistant, and Alasdair helped her to apply for Return to Work Credits and complete the relevant paperwork to sign off benefits.
Alasdair says, “When I first met Lesley she struggled to see how Ingeus could help her. After just a couple of appointments her confidence returned and she began to believe in herself again. It has been a joy to see her achieve her goals.”
Lesley says, “Before I joined Pathways to Work I felt I had nothing to offer an employer. Ingeus has helped me find my confidence again and pick up my life from where I left it before my accident.”