Claire Packer, Bere Alston
“Working Links really helped me focus on
what I wanted to achieve.”
Lone parent Claire Packer, 44, was out of
work for 19 years while she raised her family. When her children
had grown up, she decided that she wanted to fulfil her life-long
dream of running her own business.
Claire sought the help of Working Links in
Plymouth, where self-employment expert Neil Davey guided her
through her options and ensured her goal was attainable by tackling
it one step at a time. Neil noticed Claire’s natural drive and her
desire to be successful in business and was able to help her focus
this energy.
Claire said, "I had ideas in my head and
didn't really know what to do with them. Neil helped me to
structure these ideas and with his help I devised a step-by-step
plan to open up my business."
Claire set up The Wet Felting Company based
in Yelverton where she creates environmentally friendly, made to
measure slippers, rugs, jackets and other items which are proving
to be a hit with people from as far away as Spain.
Claire said, “I've fulfilled an ambition
with my new company. Being my own boss is a great feeling.
Ideally I'd like to open a few more shops
in the area, but I'll take it one step at a time."
Conrad Hutchinson, Paignton
“I had wanted to get into youth work but I
had to start from the bottom - and that's where Working Links have
really helped.”
Conrad Hutchinson, 47, was out of work for
more than two years after he lost his job in the decline of the car
manufacturing industry. Conrad had worked in the car industry for
18 years so it was all he had known and as he left school with no
qualifications, he found it difficult to find meaningful work
elsewhere.
Conrad turned to Working Links and with the
help of his personal consultant and tutors, Conrad overcame his
childhood dyslexia and worked his way through a series of return to
work training courses including counselling, sign language, first
aid, health and safety and food hygiene in a bid to find suitable
jobs in the South West area.
Now Conrad works for YMCA and helps out at
disability sailing charity Sailability on weekends. He said,
"Because I had no formal qualifications I know how hard it is to
get by so I'm very passionate about communicating that to young
people. I had wanted to get into youth work but I had to start from
the bottom - and that's where Working Links have really
helped."
Conrad has managed to turn his life around
and his success was recognised when he won the Personal Achievement
Award at the annual South West European Social Fund Awards, at the
Rougemont Hotel in Exeter in March.
Working Links' performance manager for
Torbay, Julie Bose has followed Conrad's journey. She said, "It has
always struck me how determined and focused Conrad is to re-skill
and gain as many practical qualifications through our employment
training services to help him find work and positively encourage
others less fortunate.
Wayne Wilkes, Exeter
“I have been supported by Working Links
every step of the way and would recommend anyone looking to regain
employment to go and meet the team.”
After he was made redundant 13 months ago,
Wayne Wilkes came to Working Links for support. He wanted a job
where he could adapt his 20 years of experience in retail to help
others. Our Consultant Rebecca Ogden identified his transferable
skills and suggested social care or support work. Wayne took part
in employment training services which included a Security Industry
Authority (SIA) Control and Restraint course and he also
volunteered with Exeter Freedom Wheels as a driver to help senior
citizens get out and about.
Wayne applied for two jobs as a security
worker and a support worker. He said, “When I first approached
Working Links I was demotivated after being out of work for so long
and felt let down by the system. It was so refreshing to meet the
team at Working Links who had such a professional and different
approach to job seeking. Not only did they make me feel welcome and
important, but they also offered me every tool and resource
possible to regain full time employment in an area I really wanted
to work in.”
Wayne did a great job in his interviews and
was offered both roles. He chose to go with the support worker
position where he would help vulnerable people in the community. He
said, “I am really enjoying my new role. I am currently training
and have been given two clients to support, as well as helping with
the everyday running of a supported home which is a new but
incredibly rewarding challenge.”
If you live in the South West and would
like to find out more about how Working Links can help you then
please contact us.