Andrew’s Journey of Health and Work​

When Andrew joined the Restart Scheme in May 2024, he’d been out of work for several years. Having previously worked in the travel and retail industries, he had to leave employment to become a full-time carer for a family member. He began his journey at the Chichester office, where he received one-to-one support tailored to his needs. Unfortunately, life took a turn for Andrew, when he faced significant health challenges, including a heart attack and a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. This paused his time on the scheme to allow him to recover and work on his health.

When Andrew returned in January 2025, he was open and honest with his Employment Adviser, Simon, about the concerns he had around returning to work, particularly around his mindset and confidence. Andrew disclosed that he was on medication for his heart and had received treatment for his cancer. He also disclosed that he was taking antipsychotic medication. These personal circumstances had understandably impacted his confidence and made his return to work feel like a daunting prospect.

Simon worked closely with him to identify his key barriers to employment and provided tailored support to help him move forward at his own pace, and thanks to the strong foundations and clear expectations set early on by Simon, Andrew was motivated and ready to pick up where he left off. Andrew received dedicated mindset and confidence-building sessions and was supported in developing a new CV that opened him up to a wider job market. His CV was checked using the CV checker tool available on the Fedcap Hub to ensure it met ATS (Applicant Tracking System) standards.

Despite having limited digital skills, Andrew fully engaged with all the resources and support available. He attended tutor-led workshops, mock interviews and worked with our Employer Solutions Consultant to explore job opportunities. His digital skills and confidence began to grow, and his positive mindset was evident throughout.

Through internal referrals, Andrew secured an interview for a Customer Service role with Cove Communities at Seal Bay Holiday Park – and was delighted to be offered the position. He started his new role in March 2025 and continues to engage with our in-work support team and drops into the Chichester office for assistance with any paperwork or questions he has.

“I am so grateful to everyone at Fedcap for all of their support, understanding and empathy – particularly during very difficult times for me regarding my health. They have helped me achieve my goal of getting a job and I have enjoyed coming into the office. I’ve always been made to feel welcome and that I could rely on everyone there to help me.”