When Thomas joined the Work Programme at Reed in Partnership he
had been claiming Job Seekers Allowance for over a year.
Thomas was struggling with a life on benefits and without money
to spare after paying for his living expenses he was unable to
socialise and was increasingly frustrated. For Thomas, his
motivation to find work was sky high but he needed more
support.
"I made hundreds of job applications and had only one reply,
telling me that there were no positions available. I was going
no-where."
At his first appointment at Reed in Partnership Thomas met his
dedicated Employment Adviser, Usha.
"As soon as I told Usha I was keen to find a job that was it,
she wasn't going to stop working until she had helped me find one.
It wasn't just the hard work that I appreciated, Usha was trusting,
always smiling and helped me with other problems, like my
phone."
When Thomas couldn't afford to repair his mobile phone, Usha
arranged for Thomas to receive a new phone so she could get in
touch with him about new job vacancies straight away.
Within two weeks of joining the Work Programme Thomas had an
interview set up to work in West London as a Road Sweeper.
"Usha and the team helped me to prepare for the interview. There
were a few of us who all went through the process together which
made it easier."
Two weeks after his interview, he was offered a job that started
the next day. Thomas is now three months into his new job and he is
really turning his life around. His positive attitude to work has
made a great impression on his employers.
"I have to get up really early for work but I'm so happy to have
a job there's no problem with motivation. If it wasn't for Usha and
Reed in Partnership I would still be signing on at the
Jobcentre."
Thomas is now looking to work his way up the career ladder and
is enjoying all the perks he is experiencing as a working man.