Skip to sub navigation Skip to main content
Show menu

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) ATTFE College delivering digital support in local communities

Melanie purchased a laptop a few years ago and was scammed online. Extremely nervous about using technology, she wanted to buy a new phone and then began to use her laptop once again with confidence.

In order to help Melanie understand a little more about how the technology worked after she’d purchased her new phone, we talked about the very basics of how a smartphone works, learning about the different types of phone contracts, phone security, the internet, broadband, storage on her device, and the 'cloud' and her email accounts.

Once Melanie understood and felt confident in knowing her phone was secure, we began to look at what the phone could do, discovering how the apps worked, and finally looking at any further apps she needed or wished to use. Each week, Melanie returned having practised using her phone and becoming more confident in using the technology. Though she knows there’s still so much more available to discover, she is now happy and confident being able to keep in contact with her parents via WhatsApp.

But she hasn’t finished! Melanie is now keen to start using her laptop again and so we’re planning on working together to re-build her confidence in using both devices.

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) Adult numeracy programme Multiply, delivered by Inspire Learning, is making a positive impact in Ashfield

Linda's story:

“I have saved £95 since I did the course with Inspire Learning. This is stuff I don’t normally absorb and now I can put it into practice. I have phoned my utilities companies and have swapped tariffs to better deals, I now bulk buy certain things. I get a lift to Costco and buy food and toiletries. I save a bit each week and do more of a monthly shop now. I used to buy pet food at 1kg for £8. I now save for this and buy 10kg for £65, which saves me £15 and I also have it delivered free.

I feel more relaxed about shopping as I used to have to go to the shops every other day, on the bus, but I don’t have to do that now. I really enjoyed the course and the tutor (Anna) was kind, caring, and patient, which is what I need as I am disabled and have mental health needs. This course changed my life and my finances”.

4) 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:

5) Ashfield GradBoost programme supporting the progression of local graduates:

Connie graduated from the University of Derby with a degree in Criminology and an intention of joining the police force. After two unsuccessful attempts at joining the graduate detective scheme, Connie was seeking more support to figure out how to boost her application chances to find a role which both matched her aspirations and involved her degree subject. She was unsure of other places she could consider when looking for roles outside of the police.

She enrolled on the GradBoost programme in September 2024, and in her coaching session delved into her career ambitions, personal values, and desired sectors to work in.

With a refined focus on searching for roles where she is able to help others, and a broadened horizon of different sectors to consider (including charity) and police staff roles, Connie was able to secure an interview within 2 weeks of her coaching session.

Though she was unsuccessful, she still feels confident that she will be able to find a graduate-level role in Ashfield, in a position where she gets to help others and give back to the local community. Since the coaching session, she has created a bespoke Career Action Plan, based on information provided by Gradconsult, and is continuing to seek and apply for roles in the local region.

6) 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:

Last updated: 11 October 2024