Paddy

Paddy is 43 and currently claiming universal credit. At the time of joining the Towards Work programme Paddy was homeless (due to large rent arrears he had been evicted) and relied on family to support him, usually sofa-surfing.

With the support from his Work Coach Paddy applied for supported housing, he was advised he would be ineligible to bid for properties on Home Finder until he had cleared some of the rent arrears, with this in mind he was supported with setting up a payment plan.

Working with Paddy over the first few months it was very clear his housing situation caused him a great deal of stress and anxiety. Supporting him into long term sustainable accommodation of his own became the priority.

Whilst Paddy was living in supported housing and was waiting to secure sustainable accommodation it was really important to use this time to up skill himself with current / new qualifications ready to use for sustainable employment.

Paddy completed his BTEC Level 1 Business Admin, Level 2 Personal Development Employability and Entry Level 3 Maths and English. This has been a huge achievement for him as in the past he had struggled to complete any form of recognised accredited qualification, by gaining new qualifications he has regained his confidence and self-belief.

“Advice and Guidance has been very helpful with choosing my Education and Training’

“Confidence has improved for me under good guidance”

“The programme has helped me a lot over the last year because my attitude was bad towards a lot of things but with one to one support my attitude has changed”

Overall Paddy has come a very long way over the last year, overcoming his personal barriers, regaining his confidence, dealing with his anxiety and most importantly he has achieved new qualifications that he was told by others he wasn’t capable of. He now has new skills and qualifications to take forward with him on his next journey.

The Groundwork Greater Nottingham Towards Work project is part of the national Building Better Opportunities Programme.

Jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund & the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s European Social Fund allocation; the programme is delivered throughout Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire by a partnership of local organisations who specialise in supporting people into work.

We aim to support with those first vital steps towards gaining employment through a personalised service and support to overcome barriers an individual may face.