Twining got me back into employment

Iris* had suffered with psychosis but wanted to return to employment and was referred to Twining Enterprise by her NHS secondary mental health care team.  Over a period of two and a half years Iris worked with two different Employment Specialists, both of whom provided emotional support, as well practical careers advice.  Iris is now delighted to be working again and still draws on the advice her Employment Specialists gave her.  Here she tells us her inspirational story in her own words…

I’ve worked with Twining Enterprise for around two and a half years now and they have helped me so much.  I was initially referred to them as I had been receiving secondary mental health care for psychosis, but I still really wanted to work.  In this time, I have worked closely with two Employment Specialists – Steven and Sarah – and both have been excellent in providing confidence boosting emotional support as well as practical careers advice.

My first Employment Specialist, Steven, helped me for almost two years.  He initially helped to build my confidence up after a hospital stay.  He was there for me when I got jobs and also when I lost jobs.  He gave great careers advice and mental health advice too.

My second Employment Specialist, Sarah, gave me such good careers advice.  I initially wanted a job in sales, but Sarah suggested I go for a more junior role, which actually suited me better, and is what I am doing now.  I really love this new role – the company is friendly and chilled.  It’s a very supportive environment. They have mental health first aiders, and I also have a supportive manager.  I know I want to build a career here.  I feel like I have a future here.  I feel very fulfilled.  Additionally, the stability of having an income really helps.  You don’t have that same sense of pride with benefits.  I sometimes still have bad mental health days, but I just try to block it out and keep going.  The job really helps with my mental health too.  Having a job gives me purpose and structure to my day.

Both Steven and Sarah have provided me with different things.  I could always call Stephen or Sarah whenever I had a bad day.  If I was losing my confidence one day and thinking about quitting, both would encourage me not to quit.  They saw how much I had grown and how much confidence I had when I was working.  When I wasn’t working, I wasn’t experiencing the same levels of growth.

Even earlier today I felt like giving up, but I know Sarah would have told me not to give up.  I’ve found her words so helpful to have in the back of my mind if I ever feel like this.

I don’t think I would have ever got back into employment if it hadn’t been for Twining Enterprise.  Twining is different because they have mental health experience.  They are always encouraging and they just know how to speak to you.  I just felt like it was excellent support.

*Name and picture changed to protect client anonymity