Paula's Journey With The Employment Advice Team

In the last year, our Employment Advice in Talking Therapy service supported 682 people, helping 123 people find new jobs, and 388 were supported to remain in work or return to their work following sickness absence.

In reality, our work is so much more than employment support. We help people make meaningful, positive changes in both their personal and working lives. Our employment advisors take a whole‑person approach. They look at what truly matters to each individual and consider what’s happening at home—the bigger picture. This often leads us to connecting people with community groups for social inclusion, exercise classes to support mental wellbeing, debt advice, housing information, or signposting when someone is also a carer.

Paula’s story shows just how the service, and Michael Brown in particular, supported her journey back into employment but also improved her mental health.

“I engaged with the service after six months of unemployment, feeling overwhelmed and lacking confidence. I previously worked as a primary school teacher, adult educator, and teaching assistant supporting children with SEN but felt unable to return to teaching due to stress and increasing demands. Alongside this, I was caring for my husband and elderly mother-in-law, which had a significant impact on my mental health and sense of identity.

Support initially focused on rebuilding my confidence, identifying my transferable skills, and exploring alternative career options that didn’t involve returning to teaching. I worked with Michael, my advisor, to compile and tailor my CV, highlighting my strengths in communication, organisation, safeguarding, and support. I was also shown how to adapt my CV and personal statements to reduce the pressure of job applications.

As caring responsibilities were contributing to my exhaustion and stress, discussions were held around self-care and exploring supported care options. I was encouraged to prioritise my wellbeing and was signposted to the Tees Valley Women’s Centre, where I enrolled on a course. This had a positive impact on my mental health, helping me feel less isolated and more confident.

As my mindset improved, I applied for a role that Michael had suggested during our sessions. With interview preparation support, including guidance on the STAR method, I attended the interview feeling empowered. I was successfully shortlisted and offered the position.”