Denise, an experienced Stepping Stones adviser at the Moston Lane shop, explained how she could support him in his search for work and told him about all the financial help and incentives that would be available if he returned to employment.

During Michael’s first meetings with Denise, they chatted about the type of employment that would best suit him. Michael decided he would like to work in the care industry and was keen to find a vacancy that offered training. With a job goal in mind, he became a regular visitor at the shop, looking for suitable vacancies, and it didn’t take long to find that job.

Denise completed a ‘Better Off in Work Calculation’ that showed Michael how much he would gain financially if he was successful in his application to Manchester Care. She also arranged funding from Stepping Stones to help him to buy clothes for his interview.

Michael’s interview went well, and he was offered a job with Manchester Care, which included training so he will achieve qualifications. Denise was delighted to hear of Michael’s success and helped him to complete the paperwork to close his benefit claim and to apply for all the in-work benefits he was entitled to which will supplement his pay.

Eliot enjoyed this so much that in 2006, he started an NVQ level 2 in fitness. He completed this in 2007, and having gained the qualification, was keen to find work in health and fitness. Eliot registered with Ben, a Stepping Stones adviser based in Didsbury, who helped him in his search for work by writing letters to potential employers at local gyms and leisure centres.

In the meantime, Eliot was keen to gain some work experience, so Ben referred him to Remploy who helped him to find seasonal sales work, whilst he continued in search of his ideal job.

Ben and Remploy continued to help Eliot to look for work in local gyms, and shortly after finishing the retail job, Eliot was offered permanent full time work as a cleaner with Bannatyne’s Health Club. The job came with a promise that the manager would help him to continue his training as a fitness adviser and support him to gain further qualifications.

Eliot still has some loss of mobility due to the effects of the stroke but continues to work full time at the Health Club. He is delighted that this now includes 20 hours work per week as a fitness adviser. Eliot has achieved his goal and continues to work towards gaining further qualifications.

Over the next year, they met very frequently to discuss and address the personal problems and barriers that were stopping Karen from returning to training or work. In that time.

Karen built up trust with Desreen and her self esteem and confidence grew. Desreen knew Karen was keen to work in health and social care so when she saw a vacancy at I Care Solutions, she suggested that she applied for the job. Because Karen had not worked for a long time they agreed that it would be better for her to consider part time work of less than 16 hours a week, which meant she could continue to receive benefits under benefit rules if organised through Jobcentre Plus. Desreen arranged an interview with I Care Solutions and Karen was offered the job and started work in October 2007. Desreen made sure that all Karen’s benefits were in order and remained in payment. Karen’s confidence has continued to grow since starting work and is looking forward to increasing her hours in the very near future.

A Stepping Stones adviser at the Moston Lane shop explained how she could offer Mike help and guidance to plan his route back into work. Mike became very focused on finding a job and called into the shop regularly, often bringing his partner, Mary*, with him. His adviser discovered that Remploy were recruiting on behalf of the Royal Mail and arranged an appointment for Mike to meet them. Remploy thought that Mike was an ideal candidate, helped him to complete an application form and prepared him for the interview. Mike was offered a job with Royal Mail, but before accepting it he returned to the Stepping Stones shop so that his adviser could check how much financially better off he would be working than living on benefits.

Mike decided to accept the job, and was given additional assistance from Stepping Stones to buy work boots and clothing before starting work for Royal Mail in October 2007, initially for a six month contract. Mike enjoyed his new job and has now been offered full time permanent employment with the Royal Mail.

His partner Mary was so impressed with the help that Stepping Stones offered the she continued to call into their shop on her own, and Mike’s adviser helped her to look for work that would fit in with her parental responsibilities. Together, they completed an application for a catering assistant vacancy with Manchester City Council and were delighted to hear recently that Mary has been successful. The couple are thrilled that they are now both employed and are looking forward to a time when Mary will also be in a position to work full time.

*Names changed

Andrew worked with Scott to produce an up-to-date CV that highlighted all his skills and experience. Scott was delighted with the result, and used it to apply for vacancies in customer service as he wanted to work with people in a customer facing role.

Because Scott hadn’t work for a while Andrew suggested that he attend a ‘GOALS’ course, which is run by Lisa, a Stepping Stones trainer.

During the two day course he was surprised at how much he enjoyed learning and joining in the group activities, and at the end he even asked Lisa if she would add an extra hour as he wanted to learn more about how people achieve success in their lives.

After the course, Scott continued to look for jobs with Andrew, and when a vacancy for a cashier at an Esso garage was advertised, Andrew arranged an interview for him. Scott took his CV to the interview and impressed the manager so much that he was immediately offered the job.

Scott was really pleased to accept the offer and enjoys his new job very much. He says that the GOALS course helped to improve his confidence and that he would recommend it to others who lack confidence or motivation after a long period of not working.

In 2007 she felt ready to look for work again and started seeing Andrew, her new adviser in March 2007 who encouraged Denise to meet him weekly at Wythenshawe Forum and he helped her to search for jobs and complete application forms.

Keeping to these regular meetings, she became more determined to find work and increased her appointments with Andrew to two or three times a week.

As a result of Andrew’s help with applications, Denise started to get job interviews and when she needed travel expenses to get to them Andrew helped by providing bus passes.

When KeepKleen, who hold the contract to clean Wythenshawe Forum, advertised a cleaning vacancy there, Andrew spoke to Bob the manager, who was impressed with Denise’s CV, interviewed her and offered her a trial period working 12 hours a week.

After working for one month Denise was keen to increase her hours and Bob agreed to 16 hours per week. This increase in hours meant Denise stop claiming incapacity benefits, and Andrew helped her sort out her Disability Living Allowance, Working Tax Credits and, as she was no longer claiming incapacity benefits, a £40 per week return to work credit which is payable for one year and does not affect entitlement to tax credits or housing/council tax benefits.

Denise has now been working for KeepKleen for 5 months. She regularly pops over to chat with Andrew in the Forum. She recently told him that she really loves her job and is extremely grateful for the help he and Stepping Stones gave her.

Volunteering appealed to Dawn and she registered on line to join the scheme. She was accepted as a volunteer, but before being allowed to help at an event she was trained by Manchester Events Volunteers in working with people, teamwork, communication skills and health and Safety.

Dawn enjoyed the training making many new friends and went on to assist at numerous sporting events at the City of Manchester Stadium. With the added confidence the voluntary work gave Dawn she successfully applied for employment as a security officer working for Priority Security at Wythenshawe Hospital and her employers have provided her with further training. Dawn loves her new job and her confidence has continued to increase. She is grateful for the experience and training she gained through Manchester Events Volunteers.

Jane had a chat with Denise, an experienced Stepping Stones adviser, who told her about Call Centre training offered by Work Solutions, and together they looked at local vacancies for this type of work. Jane decided to accept an invitation to find out more about the training by signing up for a days overview of the two-week course. Jane applied to attend the course which included a visit to potential employers allowing students the chance to experience the working environment of an operational call centre. Because Jane didn’t have any suitable clothing to attend the training course, Denise applied for funding through Stepping Stones for Jane to buy some new clothes.

Jane enjoyed the course and decided she would like to work in a call centre so she completed an application form for employment with Thomson Prometric, which was one of the employers visited during her training. She attended an interview with them and was successful. Jane started work in August at their smart call centre in Salford Quays.

After discussing different employment and training opportunities with Gemma a Stepping Stones adviser. Maggie decided she was most interested in LGV training, so Gemma identified a course run through MANCAT called Girls in Gear. Maggie started her Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) training through Girls in Gear but unfortunately failed the test.

As Gemma was on maternity leave Maggie began to see a new personal adviser Denise, who could see that Maggie was determined to work in transport. She helped her to apply for additional funding from Stepping Stones so she could re-sit the test, but she failed again. Maggie was undeterred in her ambition to drive, so Denise rang Stagecoach for her to check if they had any vacancies, and they offered Maggie an interview that she successfully passed.

When Maggie told Denise about her success, she made sure that all the additional financial help Maggie was entitled to because she was returning to work was claimed and paid quickly.

Maggie has now started work at Stagecoach, and they have trained her as Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PSV) driver. Whilst training Maggie was the only woman in a class of 40 and Denise has noticed how Maggie’s confidence has soared. Maggie says she is now enjoying her new life with as a bus driver.

Jodie was introduced to Helen, an adviser at the Stepping Stones shop in Moston.During her first couple of appointments with Helen, Jodie created a CV noting all her achievements and qualifications and began to realise that she had a lot to offer a potential employer.

Jodie attended weekly appointments with Helen and together they searched for jobs and sent out Jodie’s CV to potential employers. Jodie attended a couple of interviews and although these didn’t result in immediate employment she remained positive as they gave her good practice and helped to develop her interview skills.

Jodie applied for a vacancy as a bookkeeper at a Dental Practice and was offered the position on the spot. The first person she rang to tell about her job was Helen who was thrilled with the news.
Jodie started work on 02/07/07 and loves new job.

Patricia was introduced to her personal adviser Sam at Openshaw Jobcentre Plus.

Patricia was interested and in gaining skills computers and Sam helped her to find and apply for a ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) course run through Learn Direct. She enjoyed the course and went on to complete an NVQ level 2 in I.T. Patricia kept in touch with Sam, and when she finished the courses felt ready to look for voluntary work to further improve her new skills. Sam was aware of opportunities on offer through the Fast Jobnet job brokerage service, and together they found a volunteer assistant vacancy with the Victim Support and Witness Service. Whilst volunteering a permanent full time position as an Administrative Support Worker became available, which Patricia successfully applied for.

Since starting work Patricia has completed further training courses including drug awareness and domestic violence. She no longer claims benefits, is financially better off, and has a different outlook on life and more confidence.

Patricia recently said ‘if it wasn’t for all the help and support I received from Stepping Stones I would still be at home watching day time TV. You have helped make my return to work a lot easier’.

Stacey regularly walked passed the Stepping Stones shop in Moston and one day decided to call in on to find out more about the Stepping Stones project.

Stacey was offered the support of a personal adviser, Helen- who explained all the help that was available and she decided to register straight away. Before her illness Stacey worked in Administration/Reception roles and had also completed a university course in New Media Management. Due to her health condition, Stacey decided it would be better to start looking for part-time vacancies to help her adjust to the work environment. Helen also suggested that Stacey attend the two-day GOALS course run by Stepping Stones to aid her motivation and self-confidence. She also continued to pop into the shop every week, where Helen and the rest of the team helped her to search for suitable job vacancies. When they found any suitable vacancies that Stacey wanted to apply for, they helped her to complete an up-to-date CV and send application forms. Stacey only attended a couple of interviews before she was offered work as an administrator.

Stacey started part time work on the 24th April 2007, she loves every minute of her new job and she is already planning to increase to full time in the near future.

Richard says that the turning point for him was undertaking Stepping Stones into Work’s Goals Training Programme. He says that the training course proved just what he needed to assess and deal with the barriers preventing his progression.

his two day course is geared towards enabling people, who have lost touch with their confidence and motivation, to explore the most effective ways for them to move forward.

Richard went on to undertake several IT training courses at Mancat College and a voluntary part-time work placement at Eastserve. Whilst training at Mancat, Richard impressed his Tutors so much that they offered him employment as an Academy Instructor at their Central Park Campus.

Richard started his new job role in March ’07 and says that although he was a little nervous at first, he is confident that his career is now well and truly back on track.

Darwin had worked in warehouses since leaving school which included driving a fork lift truck, order processing, picking and packing. He had enjoyed the work and now felt fit enough to return to it but didn’t know how to go about it. Helen helped Darwin to produce a new CV to send to potential employers and then met with him every week to look for suitable vacancies and to complete applications. Darwin was offered and started work with Heads Recruitment in February 2007 and he is very happy to be back in work.

But he was keen to return to work and his wife Patricia encouraged him to pursue his lifelong passion for cookery as a new career. He had been an enthusiastic cook for years, catering for scout groups and various events, but lacked formal qualifications. Thanks to Stepping Stones and support from tutors he was able to enrol on a hospitality and catering course at MANCAT’s Ashley Lane campus in Moston, which he successfully completed.

Don now works as a sous chef (a chef who has experience in every department of the kitchen and can run it on behalf of the head chef when necessary) for supply agency Blue Arrow – a role which has seen him work in top hotels, even developing menus.He is combining this with further study, again at MANCAT’s Moston campus, for a professional cookery qualification. Don is considering continuing his studies at degree level and his ultimate goal is to teach, passing the skills he has acquired on to students.

Don said: "I’ve been given a second chance in life. Catering has always been my real passion and I’m really happy that I’ve been able to turn it into a new career. I’m also deeply grateful for all the assistance and encouragement I’ve had along the way."

Don pictured with Cheryl a Stepping Stones adviser, and Manchester Deputy City Council leader Val Stevens said: "Don is a tremendous example of how Stepping Stones is helping people regain their confidence and realise their ambitions. I’d like to pay tribute to his determination and to all the many people who have successfully returned to employment through the project.
" Perhaps the most inspiring thing about his case is that is far from unique – there are more than 1,500 similar stories."

In between hospital appointments and stays, Gaynor has successfully undertaken Classroom Assistant training courses up to level2, CSE passes in Mathematics and English and an Emergency First Aid Certificate. She was also part of a research team that completed a project for Sure Start, and participated in the team presentation to Manchester City Council. Gaynor is married and has three children, but has still managed to undertake voluntary work within schools and the local Youth Centre.

Gaynor decided she needed help to achieve her goal of starting work and joined the Stepping Stones project in November 2005. Wendy and Rita, Stepping Stones Advisers at Miles Platting Library have worked intensively with Gaynor to identify vacancies that required the skills and qualifications she had developed. This focussed on updating Gaynor’s CV, searching for a job working with children, helping with completion of numerous application forms, and interview training.

When applications were unsuccessful, Wendy got in touch with the employers to find out how Gaynor could improve and acted on comments and feedback received. Gaynor never gave up hope of achieving her goal and was recently offered and accepted a job as a Learning Support Assistant at the Meadows School in Blackley, Manchester . Gaynor is full of praise for the help Wendy gave her and the additional support she received from Linda her Disability Employment Adviser at Jobcentre Plus.

Wendy says that ‘working with Gaynor has been a privilege and a delight’ and knows that Gaynor is ready to face the many challenges her new job offers.