Ellie, 26, left her job in healthcare just before Covid first hit, due to a negative work environment. Being unemployed knocked her confidence and impacted her mental health, to the point that she couldn’t imagine getting back into work.
In December 2020 though, when she saw the Get Started in Health and Social Care programme advertised on Facebook, she thought to give it a go.
At first, she wasn’t sure if the programme was for her but after speaking with one of the staff members at The Prince’s Trust, she realised that the programme was the exact opportunity she had been looking for.
“On the programme, I was offered a lot of one-to-one support and encouragement. I gained a lot of skills in applications and interviews, as well as the ability to talk about my values and what would make me a good employee.
“A lot of the things they taught on the course were things I had done workshops for in the past, but the sessions were much better explained, and I enjoyed the level of engagement in the sessions which meant I actually understood the content.
“The biggest thing for me was confidence. From knowing more going into job applications to knowing you have the support and encouragement from the team and knowing there are people on my side.”
As a result of the programme, Ellie got a full-time job as an Autism Support Worker for Autism East Midlands, she says;
“I am feeling positive about the future. I am back to working in the area that I love and there are loads of training opportunities available. I feel secure in my job and my self-esteem is better than it has ever been”.
To other young people who are considering a Prince’s Trust programme, Ellie would say: “If you can do it then you should! There’s nothing to lose and I’m certain that whoever you are you will get something out of the programme”.
To find out more about Pathways to Health & Social Care, call 0115 876 4508.
Lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
The Pathways to Health & Social Care project is part of the Nottingham Jobs Service and is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF).
