Jackie Simpson

I’ve been on Incapacity Benefit for 8 years. I had serious depression, it started after the death of my Mother. I still wanted to work. It just makes you even more despondent to be sitting around at home all day. For the last three years, I’ve been applying for jobs. I tried everything; office work, shop work, all sorts. But when you’ve been out of work for so long no-one really wants to know. There were times when I got really despondent about it.

I did start doing some voluntary work supporting tenants but I wanted real work. I talked to a caseworker at Leeds Family Learning Centre who told me about Slivers. I’ve made brilliant progress in the scheme. I did some bookings for the Council and, at last, I’ve got a full time job.

I applied for a post as Clinical Support Worker in an A&E department of a hospital. This time I got it! I’ll get training and I’m now waiting for a start date. Doing Slivers bookings really boosted my confidence at the interview. And it showed I was serious about wanting to work.