Helen Bayliss from Kidderminster feared her working life was over when severe depression and the responsibility of caring for her elderly father left her struggling to cope. But with help and support from Pathways to Work at Remploy's Kidderminster branch, Helen is now putting her caring talents, and previous experience as an army chef, to good use at Holmwood care centre.
Helen, 47, has started work as a catering assistant at the centre on Chaddesley Road and is cooking up a storm with the 60 residents! Her duties include helping to prepare lunches, keeping the kitchen tidy and the all-important morning tea-round.
"It's my favourite part of the job," says Helen. "Getting to know all the residents is great - but is something I couldn't image doing not so long ago. I had no confidence and no interest in anybody or anything - I found it difficult to leave the house. When I hit a real low point last year, I decided things had to change."
Jobcentre Plus referred Helen to the Pathways to Work programme at Remploy's branch in Green Street, Kidderminster. Remploy is the UK's leading provider of employment services for people with disabilities and health conditions. It delivers the Government's Pathways to Work programme in Worcestershire, providing a range of specialist services and advice to support people off incapacity benefit and into employment.
Helen was given help with confidence building, team working, and her communication and interview skills. She undertook mock interviews, developed her CV and was given help with searching and applying for jobs.
Helen soon had the confidence to apply for roles and attend interviews. She now works part-time at Holmwood, balancing working life with living with and caring for her father.
The manager of Holmwood centre, Gail Gilbert, is impressed with Helen's transformation. "Helen was really nervous when she first joined us but I knew she had the right personality to fit in to the team and get on well with our residents. She's worked hard, settled in well and is now so friendly and confident.
"Helen told me about her depression when she applied but people's disabilities or health conditions really aren't an issue. If we know about it, we can work with it. I wouldn't hesitate to interview other Remploy candidates."
Helen's thrilled to be back in work and sees the positive impact on her home life too. She now enjoys short breaks away and losing herself in a good romance novel.
She concludes: "Just keep trying even if you feel you're getting nowhere - especially in tough economic times like now. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and with Remploy's help, I feel like I've got a new lease of life by getting back into work."
Anyone receiving incapacity benefits who is looking to start or return to work is invited to contact Pathways to Work at Remploy, Elgar House, Green Street, Kidderminster, DY10 1JF. Telephone: 0845 155 2630.