Emma's Connect to Work story

Emma first heard about Connect to Work at a local jobs fair.

At the time, she was volunteering at Maya's Café and wanted to find paid work. She felt disappointed after being turned down for jobs and worried that her learning disability and hearing impairment would make it harder to find employment.

How we helped

Emma worked with her employment specialist, Clair, to build her confidence and develop her skills.

Together, they looked at the experience she had gained as a mum and through volunteering. This helped Emma see the strengths and skills she could offer an employer. Clair helped her create a CV and prepare for interviews.

Just before Christmas, Emma attended her first formal job interview. She was nervous, but she used the skills she had learned through Connect to Work.

Although she did not get the job, Emma saw it as a positive step:

"Even though I didn't get that job, I felt proud of myself. I realised I could do more than I thought, and it gave me confidence to keep going."

Soon after, Emma and Clair found a role that suited her perfectly: Midday Meal Supervisor at a local primary school.

The hours fitted around her son's school day, and Emma was excited to apply.

With Clair's support, Emma completed her application and was invited to an interview. Before the interview, Clair met with Emma to help her feel calm and confident.

The next day, Emma received the news she had been hoping for. She had been offered the job.

Clair continued to support Emma by helping her complete her paperwork and DBS application before she started work.

Emma's success

Emma began her new role in April.

The school worked closely with Connect to Work to make sure Emma had the support she needed. Because of her hearing impairment, adjustments were put in place to help her feel comfortable and confident at work. She was also paired with a workplace buddy who helped her settle into her new role.

Today, Emma is enjoying her job and feels much more confident about the future.

Emma said:

"I'm over the moon to have started this job. I didn't think I would ever feel this confident, but Clair believed in me from the start. She helped me prepare for everything and supported me every step of the way. I'm really proud of myself and excited about what's ahead."

The Jobcentre said:

"Providing the right support at the right time has made a real difference for Emma. We're delighted to see her succeed and start a role that works well for her."