When Ruby came into the Ambitions project, she told us she lacked motivation. She’d been out of work and education for a while and had lost any sense of structure or routine to her day. She hoped that getting back into some form of education or training would provide her with this structure, and that this in turn would help with her mental health.
During our initial meetings, we spoke about her first steps. She decided she would like to upskill her Maths and English as this would enhance her chances of getting set on a career path, rather than getting into short term or temporary employment. She also wanted to re-establish living with a routine before committing to employment, as this had previously been a barrier. It was important that the first steps were manageable; this helps to build consistency and momentum for the next steps.
We researched providers together – as Ruby was 18+, this limited the options available. After visiting with a few different ones, Ruby decided she would like to trial Skills UK. I supported her to contact them, we set up meetings, and I attended them with her to support her with the anxiety she experiences in new places.
As our work together concluded, Ruby had been introduced to her learning mentor at Skills UK who would provide her with any additional support she might need, she had completed her enrolment and was awaiting her timetable. Alongside the functional skills, Ruby was also going to be completing a Customer Service diploma.
Anxiety, lack of motivation, and the absence of routine were all barriers that Ruby needed to overcome to feel confident re-entering the world of work. She didn’t need to throw herself in at the deep end; instead, her self-awareness of her boundaries helped her to shape an achievable path forward. Focusing on smaller steps helped her get started on her journey without it being overwhelming. During our time together, she was reassured of her capabilities and encouraged to find her motivation.
The power of routine shouldn’t be underestimated when it comes to your productivity and mental health, but it can be difficult to know where to start. This article from Psychology Today takes you through some useful tips.
If you can relate to Ruby’s story and want to chat about our Employment support, email [email protected] or call us on 0114 201 2800.