By The Pathways Team
We were contacted by a college leaver (E) who had just finished her 2-year course in June and had no idea of what she wanted to do, how/where to search for roles and what options were available to her financially. It was very daunting to her and with her Dyslexia and low grades was getting turned down for even basic roles. Her confidence was very low, and she was very reluctant to seek help from Job centres etc.
Our project enabled us to work with E to gain her confidence and explain that there were organisations/projects who could help. We reassured her there was no pressure and we helped E fill out the required paperwork to be sent to Triage.
Within a day, E had been referred to Employment Solutions, who were deemed to be best matched to help E into work. E was very nervous about meeting new people and visiting new places (Riverside) so Sarah went with her to boost her confidence. E met with Lee from Employment Solutions, and after getting over her nerves, opened up about what she wanted and was looking to do. Lee discussed various options for her including creating a more robust CV, helped E to job search and worked with her on a plan to move forward.
Since being with the Employment Solutions team, E has completed many online courses related to roles she could potentially apply for, she has been to various introduction sessions and was even able to obtain a bus pass to help with travel costs – this was very useful as with no income, traveling around the borough (one course was in Sheffield).
As well as this, Lee also advised her to apply for Universal Credit, which she did, and is now in receipt of this benefit to cover living costs.
E has found her confidence improve vastly especially when talking to other people. She has been actively going into shops to hand her CV in and has found more job sites to vary her job searching.
To gain more experience in her role she wants to do, E wanted to volunteer with care homes. Sarah attended the PCN social prescribers’ event at New York Stadium and was talking to Crossroads Care who were looking for volunteers. Sarah encouraged E to contact them and has her first induction session with a care home on Thursday 16th October 2025.