{"id":705,"date":"2018-10-02T11:54:49","date_gmt":"2018-10-02T10:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bbostaffs.org\/?p=705"},"modified":"2020-10-26T17:04:57","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T16:04:57","slug":"i-was-unemployed-for-20-years-now-im-a-changed-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bbostaffs.org\/i-was-unemployed-for-20-years-now-im-a-changed-man\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI was unemployed for 20 years. Now I\u2019m a changed man.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mark Jones is 48 years old and hasn\u2019t had a job since his twenties.\u00a0 A bright and capable chap, Mark previously enjoyed education and had previously studied with Learndirect to achieve maths, English and ECDL qualifications.\u00a0 Mark has a particular passion for English.<\/p>\r\n

Mark struggles with depression and anxiety which he says: \u201conly worsened the longer I was unemployed.\u00a0 The longer you\u2019re unemployed, the more isolated you become and that voice in your head keeps telling you how worthless you are.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Battling with mental health issues day-in-, day-out, Mark also has hearing difficulties and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).\u00a0 Following 20 years unemployment, Mark was referred to the Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire programme by his local Job Centre.<\/p>\r\n

Mark’s Story<\/h2>\r\n

\u201cI first attended Holmcroft Work Club where I met my Advocate; Angi.\u00a0 At the time I wasn\u2019t doing anything with my life.\u00a0 I was claiming benefits, unemployed and spending a lot of time alone.\u00a0 Meeting Angi and joining Building Better Opportunities really opened doors for me.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cBuilding Better Opportunities can help you with so many things.\u00a0 For me it was my confidence I was struggling with the most, after being isolated and alone for so long.\u00a0 Angi working with me at my pace to develop my confidence and the volunteering opportunities also really appealed to me.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cI\u2019m now volunteering at the Stafford Work Club, where I help other participants with computers and IT skills.\u00a0 Volunteering has really helped with building my confidence, people actually ask me for help and I\u2019m able to help them.\u00a0 It\u2019s taught me I have value and skills to offer.\u00a0 I\u2019ve also been able to work on my social skills; I used to stay in all the time and hide away but now I\u2019m talking to people, able to go out more and I definitely have a lot more confidence.\u00a0 There are also lots of opportunities with the programme.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Now an active member of the Building Better Opportunities community, Mark says: \u201cMy advocate is great, she\u2019s not pushy but is encouraging and very understanding.\u00a0 The people genuinely appreciate you and they\u2019ve helped me to realise that I am of value.\u00a0 The team here really believe in you.\u00a0 It\u2019s the first time in a long time that anyone\u2019s believed in me and it\u2019s a really good feeling.\u00a0 I now feel ready and confident for employment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Mark received the biggest confidence boost of all, when he secured full-time employment: \u201cWithout Building Better Opportunities I would still be unemployed, thinking I was alone and here was nowhere to go for help.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

How Can We Help You?<\/h3>\r\n

Offering his advice, Mark says: \u201cMy advice to others that have been unemployed for a long time is; it doesn\u2019t matter how late in life it is, there is still chance to change things.\u00a0 I was unemployed for 20 years but now I\u2019m rebuilding my life and you can too.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire works with residents across Stafford and South Staffordshire who are experiencing multiple barriers to employment.\u00a0 It\u2019s a bespoke programme, meaning each and every person that joins has an individual action plan that aligns with their personal needs.\u00a0 The programme is completely free for all participants, meaning you\u2019re able to focus 100% on improving your personal, financial and employability skills.\u00a0 This programme is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund.<\/p>\r\n

To find out more about Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire call us on 01902 696 228, email bbostaffs@gmail.com or complete the green form below.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n