annette's story

Annette initially attended Routes to Work in October 2018 after being referred from Bellshill Job Centre.

Annette, who is 50 years old and lives in Bellshill, had not worked in 30 years due to raising her family and caring responsibilities for other family members. 

Whilst attending Routes to Work,  Annette and her Caseworker discussed the possibility of going back to work as an option.

However, Annette’s confidence was low and she did not feel she had the necessary skills or experience to get back into the work environment.  With the assistance of her Caseworker,  she agreed to being referred to the Routes to Work Skills Team to support her in gaining the relevant training in relation to her employment needs. 

After completing her REHIS Food Hygiene and First Aid qualifications in March of this year, Annette was referred to our partner - Community Learning and Development - Adult learning, for support with her CV.  

Whilst waiting on the childcare vacancies to be released, her Caseworker and Skills Trainer discussed other options that would be suitable and in line with her recent training.  Annette was keen to consider roles in the catering, cleaning and care industries. 

She was then referred to our in-house Employer Link Worker (Sarah) whereby her needs were identified and she was supported with interview preparation.  Subsequently she was then referred for interview with a care organisation based in Motherwell.   Annette was successful and offered the position with them.

Routes to Work covered the costs of her disclosure application and on confirmation of successful disclosure, Annette took up her new role as a Support Worker on 7th August this year. 

On commencing work with her new employer, Routes to Work supported Annette financially in the transition between benefits to earnings.  She was then referred directly to our In-work Support Team, to ensure that she is fully supported for the first 6 months whilst in employment.  This service enables the client to gain support as and when required in relation to financial and practical issues that may arise.

Annette said,          “I am loving it.  Being in work has changed my life for the better.”

---