300 people helped back to work

When Adam from Peterborough came to Work Routes, he was unemployed and feeling very low. He knew he wanted to get into work but he didn’t know where to turn.

He said: “There have been times where I felt like I was letting everyone down, particularly my three children.”

Adam is now one of more than 300 previously unemployed people from Peterborough who have started work after gaining the support of the ESF-funded Work Routes programme. Previously working in a factory but now about to begin his first care role, he said:

“I can be a better father and my life is continuing to change.”

Launched in August 2016, ESF funded Work Routes, financed by the European Union, offers people from Peterborough and Cambridge completely free, one-to-one employment support. Adam’s Work Routes adviser helped him with his CV, covering letters and applying for a moped scheme so he could get around to his interviews.

Many people who use Work Routes overcome significant barriers to employment, including long-term unemployment, health problems and challenging family situations. People on the programme receive free in-house skills training; job searching; interview practice financial assistance with childcare and travel; and support in dealing with other potential barriers such as housing or lone parenthood.

When Antionetta came in to the Work Routes offices she had been unemployed for 6 months. She felt that being in her mid-fifties was preventing her from getting back into work. Her adviser supported her one-to-one, giving her CV a makeover and providing her with a place on a confidence boosting course from an external provider. She began to feel motivated and now works for the NHS. She said:

“Having such a patient adviser who really listened and got to know me gave me confidence and motivation to go back to work. Without the positive experience of Work Routes I would certainly have given up.”

Are you looking to get back into work? If you’re 16 and over and currently unemployed visit [workroutes.co.uk](http://www. workroutes.co.uk) for more information. Work Routes is delivered in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and funded by the European Social Fund.