Craig from Charlestown NSW was connected with atWork Australia’s Disability Employment Services after a cycle of falling in and out of employment.
Craig lives with bipolar disorder and anxiety which has previously affected his work life. For example, a small change or a last-minute task would be difficult for Craig to adjust to.
His anxiety worsened when he was out of work, worried about his financial security and how he would be able to afford the medication needed.
He was connected with Job Coach Kaila (now Service Manager) and took a while to warm up to her. He would often get stressed and want to give up, but together Kaila and Craig worked on his confidence and Kaila earned Craig’s trust.
“Craig has been supported by atWork Australia for many years, through his ups and downs with employment. It took time for the team to gain Craig’s trust, but he became more confident and outgoing knowing we were there to always support him,” said Kaila.
Craig had many roles before, from driving to support worker roles. He had some experience in trolley collecting and expressed to the team that this was his dream role.
He liked the stability and the repetitiveness of the role. He knew exactly what to expect every day when he went in and there were rarely any extra tasks to exaggerate his health conditions.
“Craig was motivated and willing to work with me to achieve his goal,” said Kaila.
“His self-determination was apparent, as he practised over and over again the same interview, until he was confident.”
“With Craig’s anxiety, attending an interview is a major achievement and his commitment to practising to make sure he felt comfortable when the time came, was a big development.”
He landed a role as a trolley collector but in March 2021 company changes meant he was out of work.
With the support of atWork Australia, Craig maintained his confidence and his motivation to get back to work, rather than being overwhelmed by the change.
Then in August of 2021, Kaila found Craig a similar role in a nearby suburb.
Craig recently celebrated a year in his current role which has supported a healthier Craig, as he can now afford his medication without stressing out on what he will miss out on.
Every year, atWork Australia helps thousands of neurodiverse clients like Craig expand their skills and qualifications to help them gain the right job with the right employer. Call us today on 1300 080 856 or enquire online to find out how we can help you meet your career goals.
