"Support in my career journey"

I have been struggled with depression since 2014 but in 2021 I wanted to help myself and see what help and support is out there. After going to my GP they referred me to Ashfield Local Mental Health Team.  I then started working with Emma last year to work on my anxiety and depression. I had many sessions with her.

Emma is lovely, funny, honest and very straight with me. Emma knew how to challenge me on every session. The support she has provided me with has been invaluable. Starting with weekly appointments first, I found this too much to handle but Emma allowed me to complete the session fortnightly if it would help me deal with the sessions as they were challenging. Throughout the time working with Emma she used a questionnaire to start off with and I scored very highly but towards the end of my work with her my score had reduced by half.

Emma informed me about the employment support service provided by the NHS. Initially I felt I was not ready to return to work but after testing my boundaries I then realised that I could possibly cope with some sort of paid or voluntary work.  This is when I was referred to the employment support service.

I was seen initially by Sangita and Jordan, and then I continued working with Jordan and have been doing for the past several months. Throughout this time we have had some difficulties with accessing information about benefits which was down to the lack of contact/communication with DWP.  I was previously told that I could not work without losing my benefits, however after many phone calls and emails we eventually made contact with the DEA who set us up with a meeting with a work coach, this is when I could finally believe that I could find paid employment and I would not lose all my benefits.

During this time Jordan also referred me to do some work experience at the range which was an interesting experience. Since then Jordan took interest in the fact that I have OCD and I need structure and routine.  I need to work in an organisation where policies and procedures are followed. This led us to look at opportunities with Kings Mill Hospital. I really liked the thought of working in this environment.

Very recently Jordan spoke to me about the journey I would need to go through.  I never thought I could do this as I thought it was above me due to everything I have been through, but with the help from Jordan and my partner they gave me the push and belief that I could actually do this. So now I am working towards everything I need to do before I can apply. I recently started a functional maths course, and I am enjoying doing this and I have applied to do some volunteering with the hospital.

I am due to be discharged from secondary service which means my work with Jordan will also need to come to end but she has the confidence in me to pursue this journey. In the whole journey with Jordan, she has been amazing, friendly, funny, straight forward, helpful and a really good listener and I am sad that I will not be working with her any longer.

Although Jordan is leaving me, she has however referred me to other services so I can continue to access support.