Ingeus

When Tanya, 37, was referred to Ingeus’ Pathways to Work programme in July 2008, she was recovering from a very low period in her life, and had been on Incapacity Benefits for six months.

Tanya had suffered a number of personal issues that led her to substance abuse and addiction, and as a result she found herself unemployed for the first time in her adult life.

Tanya was beginning to get her life back on track, and after undergoing rehabilitation she wanted to return to the structured and stimulating life she had when she was in work.

She spoke to Tina at Mansfield Jobcentre Plus, who referred her to Ingeus’ Pathways to Work programme, where she met her employment advisor, Tom.

Tanya was nervous and unsure that Tom could help her, but she committed to working with him, and they agreed to take things at a pace that suited her.

Tom arranged for Tanya to attend in-house workshops to improve her motivation and confidence and to develop interview skills, and at these workshops Tanya was able to meet other people with similar issues and develop her social skills.

Tom helped Tanya to update her CV, and they used Ingeus’ Job Station to research and identify potential employers in the local area. Tom also arranged for Tanya to attend mock interviews with other Ingeus advisors so she could practice her interview skills and learn how to answer questions about her recent break from the workforce.

As Tanya’s confidence grew, she started handing out her CV to local retailers, and soon received a number of invitations to attend interviews, and Tom arranged funding for her to buy interview clothes and pay her travel costs.

Tanya was delighted to receive a number of job offers, and she decided to accept a full-time position with leading clothing retailer.

Tom ensured that she had a smooth transition into work by helping her to apply for the in-work tax credits to which she was entitled. He also arranged additional funding so she could purchase work clothes and cover her expenses in the period between her last benefits payment and her first pay day.

Tanya says, “Today I am living a comfortable but exciting life thanks to Ingeus.  Tom guided me through each step at my own pace, and now I am doing work that I want to do. Even after I started work they have been there for me. I can’t thank Ingeus enough.”