From Pain to Purpose: Andy Sets Sail on a New Career Path

Andy had a serious accident which caused him to develop arthritis in his back and neck, making everyday tasks difficult and painful. Chronic pain disrupted his sleep and affected his mental wellbeing, leaving him low in mood and lacking confidence. Despite receiving physiotherapy and medication, he struggled to stay positive and felt distanced from the idea of returning to work.

After being unemployed for nearly three years, Andy joined the Restart Scheme at our Oxford office. He was referred to our Health & Wellbeing Adviser, Vanessa, who supported him throughout his journey. Together, they developed a personalised wellness action plan focused on pain management and building a more hopeful mindset. Andy attended Pain Management workshops and learned how to better pace himself, adjusting daily activities in line with his health.

As his mindset shifted, so did his career goals. Andy realised warehouse work was no longer suitable for him, so began to reevaluate what it is he wanted from work. He took part in a range of workshops including ‘Interview Success Preparation’ and ‘Crafting Compelling Cover Letters’, which helped rebuild his confidence and steered him towards a new career path. Andy rediscovered a long-held interest in boating and, with the help from his Employment Adviser, created a tailored CV to showcase his skills and knowledge for potential boating roles.

After spending time applying for a range of relevant roles, he was offered a skipper role which required him to register as self-employed. To give him all the tools to become self-employed, he was then referred to our specialist partner, Momentic, where he received support on business planning, bookkeeping, and registering with HMRC—essential steps he said he couldn’t have navigated alone.

Reflecting on his new career path, Andy said:
“Whilst I was nervous about doing this, I’m a lot happier—although I still endure pain. Having been out of work for about three years, I’m really happy and proud to be doing something that’s been an interest of mine for many years.”

Now, just months into his new career, Andy has purchased a boat and plans to run his own river cruises, fishing trips, and events over and above his job as a skipper. Though he still has to manage his physical pain, he feels more confident and fulfilled—and has been widely praised for what he’s achieved in under a year.