"I am forever thankful to Northumberland CVA and everyone else who has gone over and above to help me along a rocky road, but I now see light ahead again"
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David had been out or work for over two years following redundancy in 2021. Thanks to Solid Foundations, he now has an offer of employment.
David initially declined support in July 2023 due to his physical health which was potentially a barrier for the types of employment he wanted to do. However following support and advice from a social prescriber, David felt ready to engage with Solid Foundations. In September 2023, he requested support to help him look for suitable work.
David was concerned about his finances as his redundancy payment was now depleting. He was referred by his key worker to Citizens Advice who provided him with a benefit check, permitted work guidance and advice on other mobility type benefits. David’s key worker then referred him to Community Action Northumberland to gain job search support. His CV was updated in October; however after several applications and CV drops, he was getting little response.
David’s key worker was able to support him in updating his CV again and he continued to do CV drops. This time, David had more interactions with potential employers by personally visiting them and handing over a CV. Many were interested in his skills but were not in a position at the time to offer employment. David kept on going though until eventually he was approached and offered employment.
David said “My advice to anyone who finds themselves in the position that I was in, is to not give up, stay strong and try to keep your head up. There is positive help there with brilliant caring people and if you are willing, you can achieve goals.
“When I first became unemployed after 45 years of constant employment, I was disillusioned with the Government and the lack of help and empathy that they showed me. I was made to feel worthless and dumped on the scrap heap and forgotten about. I struggled because I had various ailments what limited my chances of future employment. The impact that this had on my life was stress, depression, and anxiety which in turn led me to seeing a social prescriber and then onto mental health therapy, which I am still getting.
Now however, through the help of Solid Foundations, the social prescriber, the one-to-one help from my key worker and my mental health therapist, I have secured a job again which I start very soon”.
David’s key worker said “David accepted support after initially declining help. Once engaged, he was positive about moving forward and making changes. He accepted the additional support from Solid Foundations. His key worker and partnership organisations he engaged with then used his own initiative to do regular cv drops and never gave up. His own persistence now means he has a job offer.