Hannah hadn’t worked for seven years when she joined the IPES (Intensive Personalised Employment Support) programme.
She was struggling with both physical and mental health challenges and needed support to help her find a role with a purpose where she felt accepted.

How Fedcap helped

The first step on her journey with Fedcap was to strengthen her support network and we funded 1-1 counselling sessions through Options Wellbeing Trust and helped her get in touch with her NHS Community Mental Health Team.

We also gave Hannah access to Brain in Hand, a digital support service which helps with scheduling, and managing unplanned events.
She also benefited from weekly face-to-face appointments with her specialist key worker Emma and joined several online workshops, run by Fedcap’s Health and Wellbeing Team, focusing on confidence building, resilience and effective communication.

Hannah expressed an interest in helping others, leading her to pursue a Mental Health First Aid course (Level 2) via the Digital College. Despite her initial anxiety, she successfully completed the course and passed the exam on her first attempt, which was a significant achievement.

Helping Hannah secure a role

With her specialist key worker’s support, Hannah began job searching and submitted applications for various roles. Although she initially faced rejections, she gained valuable feedback and learned the importance of resilience and perseverance.

Eventually, Hannah applied for a role as a Personal Adviser with AXA Health. She performed exceptionally well in the interview and was offered full-time employment. The intensive eight-week training period was challenging for Hannah, who struggled with self-doubt and considered resigning. However, our occupational inclusion specialist Emma supported Hannah with completing an employer support plan and arranged for reasonable adjustments to be made with her employer.

What’s next for Hannah?

Hannah has now successfully completed her training at AXA Health and received excellent feedback. She continues in her role with ongoing in-work support, which has been vital to her success. Hannah is now focused on saving money and hopes to buy a house in the near future, marking a significant milestone in her journey from anxiety and uncertainty to stability and confidence in her career.

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Despite a clear commitment, Aaron Appleby had found securing work a real struggle. With Asperger’s Syndrome and a development delay, he often finds learning new tasks a challenge.

But after being supported by our Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) programme in the south west, Aaron has now found work with Center Parcs – with the employer going above and beyond to help him settle in and fulfil his duties.

Why Aaron joined the IPES programme

Aaron was determined to find work, but felt he needed some extra support. The IPES programme has been specifically designed to help disabled people overcome their barriers and find meaningful work – often, like Aaron, for the first time in their lives.

How Fedcap helped

The first few months were spent focusing on identifying Aaron’s transferable skills, his aspirations, and helping him to produce a good quality CV to show off to potential employers.

Working with Occupational Inclusion Specialist Becky Smith, Aaron was able to open up about his barriers to employment and how employers might be able to support him to undertake certain tasks.

Getting the job

Aaron applied for a role as a Housekeeper with Center Parcs, with Fedcap supporting with transport costs. He impressed recruiters with his commitment and was offered a role, before going back to his new place of work with his Specialist Key Worker before he started to ensure he understood his role properly.

Becky worked closely with Aaron’s new manager to highlight how Center Parcs could support him to adapt to his new environment and settle into the new role – and crucially stayed in touch to help make some reasonable adjustments a couple of months into Aaron starting his new position.

Becky was able to speak with the teams to understand the objectives of a Housekeeper and get to grips with the role. With Aaron expressing concern that he found double duvets difficult to manage and the task taking up much of his time, Becky liaised with the on-site team to change Aaron’s duties to take on simpler tasks, focusing on one lodge with only changing single beds. These two adjustments helped Aaron to feel more in control and was able to keep the quality of work high – and has since been able to add additional lodges and tasks to his role.

Aaron said: “It is a nice atmosphere here. There are not many jobs where you get to work in a forest. I have grown in myself since working here. People always said I could not work, or wasn’t able to, but four months down the line and I am still here.

“Center Parcs have understood my disability and they haven’t tried to push me outside of my comfort zone.

“Fedcap have been really helpful, and I have benefited from their help in work.”

Aaron was keen to increase his hours, but due to transportation barriers he was unable to do this with Center Parcs and needed to source something closer to home. And after spending time with Becky discussing options for other roles, he was able to land an additional part-time job with a local hotel, working flexibly around his Center Parcs hours.

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A South West man is rebuilding his life after suffering a stroke – and says he couldn’t have done it without the support of Fedcap.

Why Daniel joined the IPES programme

Dan had always had a job and worked in a range of different sectors, including fitness, sales and retail. But his life changed in 2019 after he suffered a brain haemorrhage, which affected his balance, proprioception and left him with chronic fatigue. These, combined with post-stroke depression, had a significant impact on his day-to-day life. Despite the traumatic brain injury, Dan continued to work and moved into the care sector, supporting adults with autism. But he often found the tasks tiring and sought support from a neuropsychologist who diagnosed him with Neurasthenia and advised him to take some time away from work to fully recover.
When he was ready to look to return to work, Dan joined our IPES programme and was supported by Specialist Key Worker Bruce Arnot, Community Provisions Coordinator Tracey Oldham-Duparcq and Occupational Inclusion Specialist Becky Smith.

How Fedcap helped

The trio worked closely with Dan to fully understand his health condition. It was clear from the outset that Dan was very willing to get back into work, but it needed to be under the right conditions and with an employer who was supportive of his needs.
Dan expressed that he was finding his new life challenging, especially feeling alone. He sourced support from Outlook South West, while Tracey contacted his GP’s surgery to explain how they could best support him.
Becky carried out a vocational assessment to identify Dan’s strengths, barriers and potential workplace adjustments that employers might need to make when he was ready to move back into work.

Getting the job

With his confidence improving all the time, Dan found an opportunity with The Pet Shop in Liskeard.
The hours were suited to Dan’s needs, but also the level of understanding from Mel really gave Dan that confidence to return into the working environment he had always been in.
Mel fully understood Dan’s heightened levels of fatigue, his poor mental health, and the additional support he may need in his role. Dan felt he could speak to Mel about any concerns and was keen to accept the job.
Dan is currently working part-time as a customer service assistant at the store and continues to receive in-work support from Fedcap.
Dan said “I always felt like I was taking one step forward and two steps back, but now I am making progress. I would not be back at work without the extra support I had from Fedcap.
“I did not feel totally alone knowing the extra help was there. It is nice to know that if I have difficulties, I have a network of people I can talk to.
“I love working with the animals. The job is great, and the extra money allows me to treat my son to great days out.”
Mel, owner of The Pet Shop, said: “Dan is wonderful. He is good with our customers and very personable. Dan just gets on and does things, he never needs to be asked.”

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Why Jack joined the IPES programme

Jack, 22, is diagnosed with Asperger’s and was had been out of work since 2019. By his own admission, he was not confident academically but had ideas about how he could re-join the workforce.

How Fedcap helped

Following a skills assessment, it was clear Jack could work in environment, land, construction or trade roles.

Jack was partnered with our Specialist Key Worker Emma Davis, who helped to boost his confidence levels, engage with stress management techniques, focus on his transferable skills and upskill ready to find a suitable job.

He also undertook activities on the Fedcap Hub and completed courses via Digital College to help increase his skill level and prepare himself for the workforce.

Emma worked closely with Jack to improve his CV and focus on his key and transferable skills.

Getting the job

In April 2022, a job opportunity arose with SOCOTEC as a Trainee Field Technician in Weymouth. Our Occupational Inclusion Specialist Becky Smith held conversations with both Jack and Emma about the role.

Despite it being suitable, the role required driving and Jack had only held a full driving licence for two weeks so was understandably anxious about driving a van around the region.

Becky worked with managers at SOCOTEC to explain the situation, and Jack impressed at interview to be offered the job.

Fedcap also supported Jack financially with fuel contributions for the first week until he was given a van. SOCOTEC even swapped his large van for a smaller one to help calm some of Jack’s worries about driving.

Jack said: “I feel great about it. It’s good so far. I never thought I’d go for a job like this but I’m excited to see where it goes from here.”

Emma Davis said “Jack has shown such dedication and commitment to his development and progression. With an open mind and willingness to try new things, he has now secured a job where he can demonstrate his excellent skillset and has the opportunity to gain experience in a new trade, with a supportive employer. It is so great to see Jack achieve his potential and I have no doubt he will be a true asset to SOCOTEC.”

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Weybridge man Nigel Mitchell is back in work for the first time in seven years after getting help from our team on the Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) programme.

Why Nigel joined the IPES programme

Nigel, 63, had been unemployed since 2015. Despite suffering from depression and with complex diabetic needs, he was determined to find work but often found his age went against him.

How Fedcap helped

Working with Fedcap’s Specialist Key Worker Gemma Boys, Nigel’s confidence started to grow, especially in dealing with IT systems which allowed him to start searching and applying for jobs.

Nigel showed interest in both driving and warehousing jobs. He always remained open to opportunities but was keen to find an organisation working in a sector that he had an interest and passion about.

With rising energy prices putting a strain on life, our Community Provisions Coordinator Paul Curtis also supported Nigel with access to a local foodbank.

Getting the job

Occupational Inclusion Specialist Becky Smith reached out to her contacts at SOCOTEC to see what vacancies they had in and around Nigel’s local area.

Two jobs were up for grabs, with one of the hiring managers contacting Nigel to discuss both roles with him, allowing Nigel to be open about his strengths and barriers.

Nigel was supported for the interview with some preparation from Gemma and £73 towards interview clothing to build his confidence.

It wasn’t long before he impressed bosses and landed a role as a Trainee Field Technician, allowing him to come off benefits for the first time in years.

The role included the use of a vehicle, but due to supplier issues, it wasn’t ready in time and Nigel needed to make his own way into Uxbridge. However, without his own car, he was reliant on trains, which could take up to four hours of his day. Fedcap informed SOCOTEC, which then sourced him a vehicle as a priority to prevent the lengthy commute.

He said: “SOCOTEC are understanding of my health and have really understood my condition. The technicians always stop and chat it’s brilliant. Having this job has given me a purpose. I don’t want to stay in bed anymore. Even if I am feeling tired, I still want to get up and go into work. I want to carry on doing this until I retire. I would even consider going down to part time at retirement. I would love to continue as long as I am capable.”

Gemma Boys said: “Nigel has made huge progression in his own self-confidence and in his self-belief that he can in fact do the job.”

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