My experience with EIP Employment Specialists

The support you get from EIP is extremely varied and can be tailored to your needs and interests.  As well as talking therapies and more general support from my Care Coordinator, I was also helped by the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) team.  IPS provides employment support specialists who help those who might want to get back into employment after experiencing mental health issues.

I was supported by Simon, who is a dedicated IPS specialist with the EIP team. He helped me to get my CV up to date and showed me how to tailor that CV to jobs I was interested in.  It’s nothing like the Job Centre, where the be-all and end-all is simply getting a job. IPS takes a more holistic approach, enabling you to focus on your interests, skills, and abilities. This approach really builds your confidence and encourages you to try new things.   It helped me to re-look at what I’ve done in the past and the experience I already have and can build on.

The IPS also encouraged and supported me to apply for one of the EIP Creative Content producer roles.  This is a stepping -stone to employment project which is a partnership between the Working Academy at the University of Bradford, EIP and IPS.  It’s a paid, part time, role for three months helping to write and upload content for the EIP site.  It’s been a good way of getting back into work and working as part of a team, getting used to the travel to work and making a commitment to regular hours and days.

As well as the Creative Content Producer role I’ve pushed myself to try other new hobbies things.  Through IPS I’ve visited museums and started a new model-making hobby that has also got me out and about and helped me develop greater social confidence. I’ve also tried fishing, not for sport, but just for enjoyment. This is relaxing and just helps me to connect with nature which can help anyone struggling with any mental health issues.

I’d really recommend to anyone to push themselves out of their comfort zone a little and, with the help of EIP, try some new things.  I’m now making really intricate painted miniature models, not something I would have thought I’d have liked or been able to do.  It can feel embarrassing to try and develop a new skill with a late start and a steep learning curve but I’m already producing models I’m really proud of.  It’s also been a way of connecting with a whole new social scene of enthusiasts who have been really welcoming and encouraging.

By Brandon M