Lizzy joined Fair start Scotland in March 2021. Lizzy is a single parent of a 14-year-old child and felt it was a struggle at times to put food on the table, although Lizzy wanted to work she just couldn’t find a suitable job.

Lizzy joined Fair start Scotland in March 2021. Lizzy is a single parent of a 14-year-old child and felt it was a struggle at times to put food on the table, although Lizzy wanted to work she just couldn’t find a suitable job.

Once she had joined Fair Start Scotland Lizzy was invited into the office to participate in Nicola and Raymond’s Positive Job Search course which identifies where participants could do things differently and how PeoplePlus can motivate them into finding a sustainable job.

When Lizzy entered, she was bubbly and outgoing, she told Raymond that she does a lot to look for work but just can’t seem to find anything. During the course participants are asked questions so everyone’s needs can be identified. It became apparent during the first session that Lizzie had been searching for work, but she told Nicola and Raymond that “she was embarrassed” and she felt that she “could have been trying harder”.

During the course it became apparent that Lizzy was a visual learner and would ideally like to have a Key Worker to engage with face to face rather than over the telephone like it was during Covid restrictions. Key Worker, Nicola spoke to Lizzy and asked if she would be happy to move onto her caseload. That way Lizzy could come into the office to engage face to face. Lizzy was over the moon about this.

Lizzy made weekly visits to Nicola in the office they updated her CV, chatted about any worries or concerns and Lizzy attended the ICT assessment and IT courses. Lizzy had spoken with Nicola regarding her struggles with money and was asking for advice on food banks that could help. Nicola signposted Lizzy in the right direction and helped her make calls to arrange visiting the local food banks.

Towards the end of the course Lizzy was shown a list of available vacancies one of these was for a cleaning operative role for cop26 and she was happy to apply!

Lizzy had a call to say she had an interview for the COP 26 cleaning operative job and within a couple of days she was told she had been successful in gaining the position. She would start within the week once all her checks came back clear. When Lizzy got her start date, Nicola helped with a travel bus code to ensure Lizzy was able to attend work and she was also given a new phone with credit as the one she had was not up to date or working very well.

Lizzy has been happily working as a cleaning operative ever since and although this was originally a temporary position her manager has spoken with her since to discuss offering her permanent contract with the company.

Lizzy said “I am so happy to be working and getting some money in. I joined fair start Scotland though the Job Centre, after being unemployed for 2 years.

I can’t thank the advisors at Fair Start Scotland enough for giving me a new lease of life and a purpose again, thank you so much.”