Steph was someone I could properly open up with…

Emilia was signed off work with stress and referred to Twining Enterprise via her doctor.  Emilia couldn’t believe the high level of service that her dedicated Employment Specialist, Steph, provided her with.  She started her journey thinking she couldn’t continue in her existing role in a big corporate, but with Steph’s outstanding support, Emilia ended up navigating a new role for herself in the same company!  Here she tells us her inspirational story in her own words…

I found myself in a position where I needed to take time off work due to stress.  It was a completely new situation for me and therefore something I needed to work out how to navigate my way round.  I initially spoke to my doctor who said he was seeing more and more people coming in with stress and he put me in touch with Twining Enterprise and the West London Works employment support service.  He mentioned it was a one-to-one service which sounded really useful, so I made contact, and I had an initial phone call with Steph who I later met in person.

Due to my situation and my health at the time, I found Steph was just the support I needed.  I didn’t know how to navigate things and I also didn’t know quite what would happen, so she was an absolute God send.  I was in awe at the level of service that she was able to provide me with – the one-to-one meetings, expert insight to the employment market and general on-hand support.  I’d been offered something similar through my private healthcare, but it was nothing like the service provided by Twining; it was just such a stellar service. 

Steph had such a natural way of providing support – she just felt like a really good friend – someone I could reach out to and open up with – which is something I don’t often do.  Steph was so good in her role and she made me feel my situation was completely normal; I felt like she just really understood me.  I felt like she took a lot of time to listen.  She brought me slowly back to myself and helped hugely with my rehabilitation.  She was also always open and friendly and clear about when we’d be in touch again. She communicated really clearly.  She just didn’t let me down.

Steph also helped me on how to position myself with HR and senior people within my organisation.  She provided me with good questions to ask.  She coached me really well. She made me feel empowered.  I felt like I could take ownership for what was happening, with her help.  She made me feel like I could speak up.

I work for a big corporate but that didn’t bother her - she just said it how it was.  It was like a best mate saying, “you can do this” and “you can ask for this.”

With all the support I’ve had from Steph I’m now still with the company, but I was able to navigate a new role.  Steph supported me to find this new role.  They found a new team for me and I slotted back into that which really is much better for me.  At one point Steph was even ready to come into work with me!  That was going above and beyond.  But just knowing she was willing to help me like that was just so supportive. During that time, she also helped me to consider other new jobs outside of my organisation too. 

It was all so emotional as well.  I was literally at my wits end at times.  I was ready to leave; but I haven’t and I’m still here!  I could pinch myself that I’m still here!

I can’t thank Steph enough.  I want to give credit where credit is due.  She was really on my side!  I was ready for the worst case scenario, but actually together we achieved the best! 

I think me telling my work about this service helped them to realise the seriousness of the situation too.  The fact Steph was also willing to come in.  This really provided me with the strength I needed.  I felt so empowered.  The whole process also showed me how much support I have at work.  I have come out the other side of this time feeling so empowered.

I want to thank Steph and Twining for being amazing and helping me to completely turn things around for myself!

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