What does the Employment Support Service do?

This is a one-to-one, employment support service for unemployed people who have experienced mental health difficulties and who have a personal budget or are self-funding.  This service is not currently available free of charge due to funding changes.

What can we do for you?

We will help you to:

• Apply for jobs and finish application forms
• Prepare for a paid job
• Find voluntary work you like
• Find training courses in local education centres and colleges
• Write CVs for different jobs
• Prepare for interviews, including talking about your mental health problem on application forms and during interviews
• Get to an interview or place of work

We will also:

• Work with you at your speed, one step at a time
• Help you if you decide to change your plans
• Check on how you are getting on
• Get in touch with employers to help you start work one step at a time
• Help you when you have started work

What are the benefits of the service?

Working and volunteering can lead to:

• Meeting new people and making friends
• Earning money
• Getting new skills
• Feeling better about yourself
• Structure and purpose to your week
• Leisure time that becomes more valuable

You could also:

• Brush up on your English or Maths
• Learn IT skills
• Go to local evening classes, college or university and gain qualifications in other skills e.g. languages, art, counselling, cooking, etc.
• Complete training for a particular job role

Some common barriers to work

People who have had mental health problems sometimes have difficulties finding work.  They can be treated unfairly by others, which can affect their self confidence and stop them from looking for work.  In fact, most people are better off in many ways when they start working. Sometimes people just need more support and understanding from employers. At Mind, we understand that people with mental health problems want to work and can work.

The Employment Support Service helps people who have had difficulty finding and keeping work.  We will spend time with you to look at what you can do, and want to do.  We will help you to cope with difficulties while you are looking for work.  We can identify skills and training opportunities that can help you with getting work and work experience.  

For further information on how to access the service please contact:

Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind

The Mind Centre

90-92 Lothian Road

Middlesbrough

TS4 2QX

Tel: 01642 257020            

Email: info@middlesbroughandstocktonmind.org.uk