Never too late to start a new career When ill health brings your employment to a halt but you battle on despite economic hardships and low self-esteem you hope something at some point will go right. In Angela’s case, this was when she was introduced to the Workways + service. Workways + is a fully funded service that helps people that are aged 25 and over and have been unemployed for more than 12 months find a job, get trained, secure work experience or get a volunteer placement. Workways assigned Angela a dedicated mentor to work closely with her to develop her employment skills and build her confidence. A medical condition prevented Angela from being able to do the physical work she used to carry out. Administration work appealed to Angela, although she did not have IT skills and qualifications. Workways + helped Angela access IT training and provided her with ongoing support. Angela has now passed level 2 in Word, PowerPoint, Publisher and Excel and she has completed a Sage 50 accounts course, a health and safety course and has passed the test to get the Construction Skills Certification Scheme card which enables her to work on construction sites. Angela said, “In November 2017 for the first time in my life I had to apply for income support. I was suffering with depression and anxiety, unemployable at 49, not worked for 17 years. I found out about Workways, a team of people that help you build confidence, get trained and ultimately get a job. My Mentor Angela Law made me feel that I was not worthless and I had a future. Angela motivated me to enrol onto a computer course, which I loved. As the next step Angela introduced me to the Beyond Bricks and Mortar service and they helped me get paid work experience with Morgan Sindall. Angela found a job in Coastal Housing as a customer service assistant and helped me apply and prepare for interview. I have been working for Coastal Housing for 2 months and my confidence is growing. All the hard work I have achieved in the last year has finally paid off” "Angela’s progression in her life and new self-confidence is amazing. She worked very hard to address her own barriers and took on board all advice given to her. She relished any task I gave to her, and travelled a remarkable journey in a relatively short time. She has settled well into the Coastal Housing position, but also wants to continue with her self-development, still attending the computer course, and striving for promotion when possible”Angela Law, Workways Mentor “Angela joined Coastal Housing Group in July of this year. Angela has settled extremely well in her new role, and is quickly becoming an established member of the team with her positive outlook and easy going nature”Kirsty Walton, Coastal Housing