Thirty-four-year-old, Dean was referred to the Work and Health Programme (WHP) with Seetec in Southampton.
He joined Seetec looking for support to end his period of long-term unemployment.
Dean was an auto-electrician when Covid-19 first hit the UK. After a period on furlough, his employer closed the business down.
The pandemic is now a distant memory for most, but for Dean it meant three years of unemployment.
Dean recalls a time when he lost faith in working, and how the thought of finding a new job made him feel sick.
Safe New Futures
Dean’s long-term unemployment left him battling anxiety, nervousness and a general negative outlook.
Before joining the Work and Health Programme, Dean was working with Safe New Futures who helped him improve his wellbeing.
Dean felt ready to take the next step and his work coach at the job centre referred him to Seetec.
Seetec works together with Safe New Futures to help our participants to improve their mental health.
1:1 support
Reminiscing about first joining Seetec, Dean says; “I remember feeling nervous, but it all happened so quickly!”
To ease Dean in, his employment adviser, Lucia, offered him 1:1 support to understand his individual needs.
With some gentle encouragement and persuasion, Lucia guided Dean back to job searching and online training too.
As Dean started attending more appointments with Seetec, he grew in confidence and enjoyed being in a professional office environment.
It really gave me a lift
Taking Lucia’s advice, Dean went on to complete a business administration course with the digital college.
Dean says; “I was delighted when I got my certificate, it really gave me a lift.”
He told his wife how much he loved being at Seetec, and how he was eager to find an office-based role.
He asked Lucia about working in an office and she told him that Seetec were recruiting for an employment adviser.
Dean felt confident enough to make the application himself but recognised that he would need support with interviews.
Lived experience
Dean turned to Seetec for interview support, he learnt to use the STAR technique and how to utilise his own ‘lived experience’.
He recalls using that lived experience at the role play stage of the interview, and says he had a good feeling that it had all gone well.
Dean says; “I got the job offer the next day and remember crying – out of happiness; I’d been three years out of work – now I was over the moon!”
Since joining Seetec, Dean has proven to be a brilliant addition to the team in Southampton.
A role model for our core values
Dean’s Manager, David, tells us; “Dean has a blend of empathy and understanding that makes his participants feel comfortable.
“Dean’s a role model for our core values and I look forward to watching him thrive as his confidence grows.”
Four months into the job and Dean has recently received a mention at an all staff call for being named in a positive review on our Trustpilot site.
A smiling Dean tells us; “Seetec has helped me massively with my confidence and made me believe in myself.”
He continues; “The Work and Health Programme has been life-changing for me.
“The support has been incredible and I encourage other job-seekers to join Seetec.”
Want to put an end to long-term unemployment? Ask your work coach at Jobcentre Plus about the Work and Health Programme – and find out more on our WHP Programme Page.
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