For more than 75 years, our dedicated teams have been helping people with disabilities, health conditions and offending backgrounds to move into sustainable employment.
With this experience and expertise at the heart of our work, we understand the concerns and challenges our participants face, and can adapt our support to ensure we meet their needs – ultimately helping to transform their lives.
When Mel Condren, from Wrexham, joined the Work and Health Programme (WHP) after being unemployed for more than four years, she was struggling with anxiety and depression and unsure where to turn.
Mel, 57, said: “Before joining Maximus, I was in a bad place, emotionally. I had low self-esteem and lacked confidence. I was suffering with anxiety and found it hard when meeting new people, and was barely able to string two words together without stuttering.
“Because I had been unemployed for quite some time, I was extremely nervous about returning to work. I’d dedicated a big chunk of my life raising my beautiful family and, although I had volunteered with different organisations over the years, I wasn’t sure that anyone would want to employ me.”
Through tailored support, Mel was introduced to the Salvation Army, one of our Community Partnership Network (CPN) members, for a peer-mentoring course to help boost her confidence. She also completed a First Aid course and attended in-house development sessions, providing her with invaluable skills and knowledge.
“Attending the peer-mentoring course was a turning point and the start of me coming back. Alongside the development sessions and interview coaching, I could feel my confidence growing.”
When a coordinator position became available within one of our offices, Mel’s dedicated Employment Advisor, Mike, encouraged her to utilise her previous management experience and apply.
“I like to help people, however, when it was suggested that I apply for the role I nearly had a meltdown. I felt so nervous because I would be working for Maximus, but I was reassured that, with my transferable skills, it was perfect for me.”
Mel was supported through the interview process, and hasn’t looked back since successfully securing the role in July 2022.
Reflecting on her experience, she concluded: “The support I received from Maximus has totally transformed my life. I love my job and can’t put into words how thankful I am.
“From day one I’ve been made to feel like a valued member of the team. I’m contributing to helping transform people’s lives and it’s a wonderful feeling.
“I recently celebrated my first anniversary here and can’t believe how far I’ve come. I’m still very much in my happy place here at Maximus.”
To find out more about the range of employment support we offer in communities across the country, click here.
