Status is a member of BASE, the newly formed British Association for Supported Employment .
BASE brings together hundreds of organisations to share good practise and lobby for improved policy and funding for a range of services including training, work preparation, supported business, job search and retention.
Working can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life; improved self esteem, social relationships and skills as well as increased income and life opportunities. Supported employment is based on the notion that anyone can work if the right job is identified and the right support provided for as long as needed.
This article has appeared in BASE’s recent publication
Mark is supported by Status, a specialist local agency. He works full-time in a finance department dealing with public enquiries. Currently, Status receive funding from various streams including DWP and the local Health Authority. However, an isolated policy change or short term funding could result in a very different outcome.
This is Marks story…..
“I had been out of work for 4 years suffering from depression. I had always had a job in the past and felt embarrassed that I didn’t have a job. When you meet people they ask you what you do and you can’t answer. I found that a difficult situation to be in.
I contacted Status at the beginning of the year. It was my idea to get the referral and I had to get it going. With mental health it seems once you’re ok you are not so much of a priority any more so you can get caught in limbo. I heard about Status through people in support groups when I was ill. I went on the internet and found out about it that way.
They were very helpful and gave me advice with looking for jobs, applications and practical things like coming off benefits. They handled this for me and it was one less thing to worry about. I also got emotional support; encouragement and a friendly voice to speak to.
Status has an assessment and gets to know you over a long period of time beforehand rather than looking for any job. They helped me go for the right job. It is a job that suits me, suits my temperament so that really helped.
The major impact of my illness and the time off was a huge loss of self confidence. If it hadn’t been for Status I wouldn’t have applied. Taking little steps at a time without any pressure helped me build some of that confidence back.
There were three jobs advertised on the council website. I applied for two, got an interview for one and ended up getting it. There was no pressure at all. When I was preparing for the interview I went in to did a practise interview and had an anxiety attack. They said if you don’t feel up to it you don’t have to go. I could step back. I was able to say no if I wanted.
Obviously now I am working and that speaks for itself. What a difference it has made. Obvious things like more money in my pocket. This job is a new area and I really like learning something new. I can handle things on my own and feel I know what I am doing.
The important thing is the support is continuous, an ongoing thing. I meet with my employment consultant before or after work and chat about how things are going.
It is nice to be busy in the day. When you have depression it is not helpful to have huge amounts of free time. Being busy comforts you a huge amount. I am now able to start thinking about the future, not just about work this week but where I want to be twelve months down the line. It is a huge difference to where I was even a couple of months ago, not just having a job but a career.”
Check out the BASE website at www.base-uk.org.
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