Disability Employment Services client, Sarah*, lives with mental health conditions including severe anxiety.
Sarah chose to work with a female Job Coach and was connected to Service Manager, Lisa, from the Mowbray office in Tasmania.
Understanding Sarah’s mental health conditions, Lisa took the time to get to know her. This helped Sarah feel comfortable and ready to take some gradual steps towards employment.
Lisa suggested Sarah participate in atWork Australia’s Positivum program. Developed in conjunction with Monash University, the program supported Sarah to understand how work might support her health and wellness goals. It also provided her with tools she could use to manage her wellness on her employment journey.
They then worked on obtaining some tickets and licences to help prepare her for work, such as a police check, working with vulnerable people check and a first aid course.
Sarah also chose to participate in some short-term volunteer work to slowly ease herself in to meeting new people and being out and about.
“Sarah had a real fear of being with new people,” said Lisa.
“Volunteering at a pet shelter helped her practice tools she had learnt with her health care professionals.”
Once Sarah felt her health and wellness was in a good place, and Lisa supported her to find work within the hospitality industry.
Unfortunately, Sarah wasn’t being offered enough hours, so the atWork Australia team worked with her to find another role with more hours. They were able to find her a role as a Disability Support Worker.
Sarah is thriving in this new role. Her new long-term goal is to maintain her current health and her role as disability support worker.
“Sarah has come such a long way. She is now able to get out and about without the fear of being in public,” said Lisa.
“She looks forward to going to work and is really enjoying it.”
“Sarah loves going to work and being independent. Her confidence has grown significantly.”
Every year, atWork Australia help thousands of clients like Sarah 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.
