What Groundwork does really works
Hi. I am Lee and I have lived in Wigan all my life. I wanted to share my story in the hope that it will help people who feel like I did just a year or two ago.
In 2016 I suffered a mental breakdown and was hospitalised in a psychiatric unit. At what was a relatively late stage in my life, I was diagnosed as having autism. I’d suffered with anxiety and depression for most of my life and even though the diagnosis did help me to understand myself a bit more, I still struggled socially.
In 2020 I had intensive therapy, which helped a lot. But after being unemployed for a few years, I felt completely lost. I wanted to get back to work and I knew I had skills in admin but I didn’t know if I could go straight back into a work environment. I’d completely lost my self-confidence and didn’t know if I could cope with the pressure of working, or a change to what had become my routine. It all just seemed too big a step.
Groundwork has helped me to turn my life around and achieve something I hadn’t thought was possible.
Just what I needed
In the end I decided I needed to feel better about myself before applying for work. I started looking online at courses and opportunities in my local area that might help and came across the Groundwork website. Their Roots To Wellbeing course was exactly what I was looking for, so I signed up. I knew the course would challenge me and that having to try new things would push me out of my comfort zone, which was what I needed. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The course is all about helping you to improve your overall wellbeing and you learn as part of a team. I soon realised I wasn’t alone. There were other people on the course that were going through similar struggles to me. Together, we took part in activities that helped us to work as a team, did some valuable training and got some great advice and support.
At the end of the course I honestly felt like a different person. Most important of all, I felt ready to take the next step towards getting back to work.
I’m like a different person
The course doesn’t just help you to improve your physical and mental health. You also learn about things like first aid and budgeting so you can manage your finances better. The course encouraged us to challenge ourselves and in a matter of weeks I made what I now consider to be lifelong friends. By the end of the course I’d learned a lot about myself and I honestly felt like a different person. Most important of all, I felt ready to take the next step towards getting back to work. One thing I had realised throughout all of my struggles was that working in a suitable environment was really important for my wellbeing. So I was quite choosy when I first started looking for suitable work. As luck would have it, Groundwork was recruiting for a part time admin role. My experience on Roots To Wellbeing had shown me that Groundwork was a very ethical, inclusive and welcoming place, so I applied. I was delighted to be offered an interview and I thought it went OK, but I was completely shocked when I was offered the job. The fact that I’ve gone from being on one of their courses to becoming an employee is proof that what Groundwork does really works.
Feeling valued and accepted
Since day one of working here, I’ve felt at home. I feel valued, accepted and I look forward to coming to work, every day. I not only get to do my favourite thing – spreadsheets, but I am also developing new skills and gaining experience all the time. I hadn’t realised how many different things Groundwork does to help people, organisations and communities to thrive and I’m really proud to be part of an organisation that makes such a difference.
If you’re reading my story and feel like I did – don’t give up hope.
Don’t give up!
Groundwork has helped me to turn my life around and achieve something I hadn’t thought possible. If you’re reading my story and feel like I did, don’t give up hope. Taking that first step is the hardest part to rebuilding your confidence and your life. Remember, there is help out there and you are not on your own. And if there is a suitable Groundwork programme near you – why not get in touch and take your first step today.
Find out more
To find out more about the programme that helped Lee to turn her life around, click on the link below: