Meet Ian

Ian has always had a strong passion for sport, especially football and boxing and has proudly supported Manchester United since the age of seven. But his journey into employment has been far from straightforward.

In 1997, Ian was involved in a serious accident that resulted in a broken back. The injury forced him to leave work while he recovered, and he remained out of employment for five years. Although he eventually returned to work, the long-term impact of the injury affected him in ways that stayed with him.

From 2002 to 2018, Ian worked for a national car rental company until he was made redundant. He then spent a couple of years completing courses to upskill while awaiting further surgery due to new health challenges. After recovering, he secured another role, but the working environment was not what he had expected. The experience significantly affected his confidence, and he ultimately decided to leave. For the first time, Ian began to question whether he would return to work at all.

Determined not to give up, Ian continued attending the Jobcentre. His work coach, Karen, arranged for him to meet Victoria, the disability and long-term health work coach. Victoria introduced him to Enrych’s Employability Programme, where Ian began working with Karl. From their very first conversation, Karl recognised Ian’s genuine desire to work, he simply needed the right support and encouragement to rebuild his confidence.

With personalised guidance from Enrych, Ian began focusing on the next steps in his employment journey. Karl supported him throughout the job search process, offering reassurance, practical advice, and help preparing for interviews.

When Ian applied for a Customer Service Advisor role with EMH, Karl helped him prepare thoroughly so he could approach the interview with confidence. Thanks to his preparation and his determination, Ian attended the interview feeling ready, and he was delighted to be offered the job.

Securing the role was a major milestone. After redundancy, time out of work, and a significant loss of confidence, being offered the position meant a great deal to him.

EMH put reasonable adjustments in place to ensure Ian could work comfortably. These included an ergonomic desk and chair, access to a disabled toilet, and parking space, and the option to work from home when needed. These adjustments have helped Ian feel supported, valued, and happy in his role. Ian says he could not have asked for more from his workplace from the interview up to the present day. He describes the company, his peers, and colleagues as incredibly supportive and says that EMH is the best place he has ever worked.

Returning to employment has also had a positive impact on Ian’s life outside of work. His confidence has grown significantly, and his family life has improved as he now feels happier, more independent, and proud of what he has achieved.

Ian encourages others who are looking for work to stay determined and focus on building their skills. He believes it’s important to look for opportunities to upskill, develop transferable skills, and connect with organisations that offer personalised support, like Enrych. With the right help and the determination to keep going, he believes people can achieve more than they think.

Ian says: “You have got to want to do it to get it done. With the right support around you, it makes all the difference.”