Issue 19

Gofal Cymru

gofal logoAs a registered mental health charity we at Gofal Cymru are committed in providing a high quality service for people with mental health problems which include Emotional Support, Housing and Employment.

As the Job Coach at Gofal Cymru my main responsibility is to help and encourage people with mental health problems move on from their current situation to gain further training and employment (voluntary/paid).I work in Partnership with Job Centre Plus who are the sole referrers, I then meet up with the service user to establish a way forward. After the initial meeting we look at the best way to take the Programme forward i.e.

  • Ongoing support and advice
  • Advocating
  • Job Searching
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Confidence building Interview techniques
  • Goal setting
  • Communication skills
  • Help with your CV
  • Your benefits will not be affected whilst on the programme
  • Meet on a weekly basis

There are other incentives from your local job centre, i.e. Advisory Discretionary Fund for further information please contact your local Job Centre Plus.

JonG has been on the Work Preparation Programme since November last year and has worked as my Admin Assistant for three months, he has written about how the Work Preparation Programme has made a positive difference to his social skills.

If you would like any further information in relation to the services Gofal Cymru provide please visit: www.gofalcymru.org.uk or link in with your OT.

JonG′s Account of Gofal Cymru

Since starting my placement at Gofal Cymru, I have learned and experienced many things about both myself and working life.

To start with I have learned to be punctual by arriving on time (not very easy getting up at 7.30) My confidence has doubled, which means I can communicate better with others and am able to work under my own initiative whilst improving my IT and administration skills. The staff at Gofal Cymru are friendly and let me work at my own pace and under no pressure. An extra bonus is that Gofal Cymru and Job Centre Plus agreed to pay me £20 p/w for my voluntary work and I have benefited from the Advisory Discretionary fund which paid for my clothes for work. My CV is now complete and looks impressive.

My time at Gofal Cymru has given me a sense of achievement and therefore I am now more positive about working life in the future.

Tracey Young- Job Coach

JonG - Admin Assistant