"I am now enjoying work, something I thought I would never do again."
When Ronnie was referred to Ingeus’ Pathways to Work programme in Musselburgh as a ‘mandatory’ client, he had been out of work for seven years and was on Incapacity Benefits due to chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and anxiety. Ronnie met his Ingeus advisor, Claire, and told her that while he wanted to pursue work in the security sector, he was not sure how such a move would affect him financially.
Claire explained to Ronnie that he would be eligible for a range of financial benefits if he returned to work, and calculated exactly how much better-off he would be by moving from Incapacity Benefits into work.
Ronnie was also worried that his health issues might discourage potential employers from hiring him, so Claire took him through the support available, and arranged for him to meet Ingeus’ in-house health specialists to discuss his needs. Ingeus’ physiotherapist, Thomas, developed a home exercise programme to help Ronnie reduce the impact of his chronic fatigue syndrome on his stamina, and the psychologist, Marie, arranged for him to attend a ‘Mood Management’ workshop, where he learned how to manage anxiety in stressful situations such as job interviews.
With this support, Ronnie quickly found that he was feeling more energetic and motivated about his future, and he and Claire created a plan to find him work a security officer. They started by creating a CV that reflected the skills and attributes Ronnie already possessed that would be required for security work, and Claire showed Ronnie how to use the internet, email, printers and fax machines in Ingeus’ Job Station to find and apply for jobs.
Less than four months after joining the programme, Ronnie was invited to attend an interview with a local security firm, and Claire worked with him to practise his interview skills. Ronnie attended the interview feeling confident, and he was delighted to accept the offer of a 36-hour-a-week position with the firm. Claire continued to support Ronnie during the transition into work, helping him apply for a Job Grant, Council Tax credits and a four-week roll-on of his Housing Benefit. He is now settled into his new life and looking forward to a brighter, more financially independent future.
Claire says, “Despite his health conditions, Ronnie was so keen to move from benefits into work and really took advantage of the range of health and employment services we offer. It’s grea t to see him in work, happy, and facing a much brighter and more active future."
Ronnie says, “I found Ingeus very helpful, and Claire has been very supportive of my needs. I am now enjoying work, something I thought I would never do again.”