Restart Scheme
Sara was living at a women’s refuge when she started on the Restart Scheme. She had been unemployed for over 2 years. Having previously run a business with her ex-partner, Sara didn’t know what work she wanted to do. The situation was making her feel very anxious and worried.
Sara met with her Job Coach, Giorgia Marchisio-King from the City of Wolverhampton Council. Giorgia helped Sara with careers advice and goal setting. She also helped her to create a new CV and cover letter to apply for jobs. To enable her to job search online, she was provided a laptop from ‘Free IT Stafford’ and an internet dongle from ‘Digital Wolves’.
Giorgia encouraged Sara to apply for Civil Service jobs as she thought it would be a job she would enjoy. Together they did lots of 1-2-1 job searching, interview preparation and applications. Giorgia had heard that the DWP were recruiting and invited Sara to come to a small group session on how to apply for Civil Service jobs. She then supported Sara with the application and helped her to practice and prepare for the 2-stage interview. In the meantime, Sara also applied for other jobs.
Sara was offered a part-time admin job at a local factory, which she accepted, and she did enjoy it but deep down, she was still hoping that something may come from her DWP interview for a full-time position. Finally, Sara heard back from the DWP, and she was offered a full-time position with them which she was over the moon to accept. Sara has been able to move out of the refuge and is now living in a council home. She is happy and looking forward to starting her new role.
Giorgia said:
