Success stories

The job search process can leave you tired and weary especially after you’ve applied to dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of jobs with little or no response. Every once in a while, it’s nice to have some inspiration to keep you going.

Inspiring job search stories

We’ve been speaking with our local partners and have found some great tales of job search success. These just might be the kick you need to keep going.

1. Citizens Advice delivering financial resilience support in local communities

A 61 year old woman attended the office after a referral from a foodbank. She had left her employment as a care working due to poor health, a back condition. Her partner was working but he was paid part on commission and often only earned the minimum wage. They were now struggling with bills and the rent which is £740 per month.

Support accessed

  • Full benefit check established that the Universal Credit was payable.
  • Universal Credit entitlement included some help with housing costs.
  • Budgeting advice.
  • Referral to Green Doctor.
  • Referral for employment support (Standguide – Working Well).
  • Support with digital access and online applications.

Solutions identified and outcomes

  • Whilst the client was looking for more suitable work UC was paid at £33.60 per week to top up partners wages
  • Client helped to reduce water costs through Water Sure Scheme
  • Insulation measures and energy usage advice from Green Doctor
  • Client was able to secure more suitable work thanks to support from Standguide
  • Long term budgeting ability improved thanks to advice on types of credit and interest. Client no longer used store cards.
  • Helped to sign up to food club for cheaper healthy food.

 

2. Thrive Together supporting Young Person remove barriers and find employment

Thrive Together engaged with Amy, via the Transform your Future Programme, through referral networks with ATTFE, the referral agent identified Amy, due to her finding social interaction difficult, having high anxiety levels and struggled with social situations especially within a group setting. Amy had low self-esteem and was socially awkward, after finishing college the year prior Amy had been economically inactive with no career goals and required support with overcoming setbacks, improving communication, increasing confidence and employability support.

Thrive Together conducted a bespoke initial assessment identifying Smart Actions of Support to help Amy understand and identify future goals and ambitions, coping strategies, development of social confidence along with improved communication skills within group and work settings.

Alongside this, Thrive Together built a career plan where Amy identified a career goal to work in Administration given her personality and fondness to processes. Thrive together supported with creating a CV, providing interview preparation, increasing Amy’s understanding in the workplace and completing a reasonable adjustment plan with training sessions on how to comfortably communicate requests for social space and communication for tasks to be received in writing over verbal.

Amy started with one to one sessions due to Amy’s social anxiety, following the sessions Amy joined group activities and gradually came out of her shell to become a contributing member of the group, building team skills and interpersonal skills, eventually supported her peers with their own development and growth with Applications.

Amy is now expected to start her first ever job in September and feels her confidence and the support has helped her through the next stages of her career. Amy has self-identified social confidence has increased throughout her time with Thrive together.

3. Enterprising Ashfield "Headstart" programme making an impact with new business

Local entrepreneur Ryan Howard talks about the impact Enterprising Ashfield has made to help set up his new business “Johnny 5 Replica”. This started when he picked up a leaflet from his local Job Centre and then went through the HeadStart programme as well as attending several business-related short courses.

Watch the video to hear from Ryan talking about his new business venture:

4. Enterprising Ashfield supporting business start up and skills development within the district

Paulette Sturman attended the Digital Skills for Marketing and Communications course, delivered through Nottingham Trent University's Enterprising Ashfield project.

The practical course is designed to develop an understanding of design principles and effective visual communication skills for marketing on the computer. Aimed at beginners with limited or no knowledge of design software, participants will progress the basics and quickly develop their ability to design professional-looking documents.

You can see a number of case studies through the Enterprising Ashfield project here:

Related links

Page last updated 29 October 2025

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