Self-employment goals – Lee’s story

Lee joined Work Routes after a period of unemployment due to long term health complications. Following his recovery, Lee felt ready to work again but didn’t know where to begin with job applications.

During his initial appointment with Employment Adviser, Sam, Lee discussed his previous work experience in teaching and technology, and his future job goals of self-employment working with electrics. Sam took time to get to know Lee, learning about the health condition that resulted in him being out of work. Due to trialling different medication, Lee felt that he was now in a better position to find work, being able to manage his condition.

Our team of experienced Employment Advisers will assess a participant’s job readiness, readiness to change, transferrable skills, and from this they can create an individual action plan together which gives insight into how they can achieve the goals set.

Sam told us: “Lee is an incredibly bright individual, and all he needed was a set of helping hands and ears to get him where he needs to be. Lee said that he really likes that the Work Routes team have ‘more empathy’, and that he also likes ‘having someone there, who actually wants to listen to what you have to say’.

“Since joining Work Routes, Lee has found the Employability Skills Training and Health and Wellbeing sessions beneficial.” Lee said: “The course content is effective, and being in room with other people is confidence boosting.”

On completion of the courses, Sam provided intense support for Lee with setting up his own business and becoming self-employed.

“I want to be able to provide for my partner and kids and thanks to the support from Sam, I’ve now got my own company set up, working in electrical repairs with a focus on recycling batteries. Work Routes have funded business insurance, a level 3 Pat Testing, and bookkeeping course for me to start up my new business. I now have the tools to change my life for the better.” Said Lee.