Jasmine’s route to work: Employability Day 2025

Support into work

“When Jasmine came to OPFS, she was unable to work due to mental health issues. The family had just moved to a new house in a new area so there were many big changes. They had dealt with a lot of trauma, as the children’s father died unexpectedly a few years ago.

She told me she felt more ready than ever to get into work… to be a positive influence on her children by instilling a strong work ethic and positive attitude to work.

Jasmine had attended University to study physiotherapy when she finished school but had to leave when she had her first son and was never able to return.

Money and benefits advice

In supporting Jasmine, I had one-to-one meetings to get to know her and find out more about the barriers she faced. She was extremely determined to get her house decorated, to ensure her children had a happy, cosy home where they felt safe.

As a single parent to three, she has worked hard to budget her finances… but had been unable to afford proper flooring for her hallway and stairs.

With the winter months approaching, she was concerned about how cold the floor might be and how this could affect the children’s health. I was able to complete an Entitled To check to ensure Jasmine’s benefits were all correct. After this, I applied for a Glasspool fund to pay for carpets. This was successful and Jasmine was extremely grateful to have the new carpets in just before Christmas.

Building confidence for work

Jasmine was struggling with knowing where to start having been out of the workforce for over 10 years. She is very smart and has good IT skills, so her CV was well-written and professional. I made some small adjustments to make it more concise and organised.

Jasmine lacked confidence, so I encouraged her to attend our pre-employability group focused on confidence and wellbeing.

She created positive friendships with other single parents and earned a recognised qualification in food hygiene. She also worked with me on job searching. In December 2024, Jasmine was successful at interview for a part-time job as a catering assistant in the school kitchens, which she started in early 2025.

Outcomes

Jasmine’s confidence has grown hugely since I first met her. Not only will the new job change her financial situation, but it will improve her mental health and wellbeing, as well as her children’s health and home life. She is now in a position where she is able to go out and work, earning money which can support her children and allow them to get involved in activities they previously might have missed out on.

Jasmine is very proud of herself and very grateful for my input which has given her the push to take steps forward in her own employment journey, changing her family’s life for the better.”

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