Employment Support

This is a one-to-one, employment support service for unemployed people in Middlesbrough who have experienced mental health difficulties.

Who is the Service for?

This service is for adults who have or have had mental health problems. They want to work but need extra support to find, get and keep work. This includes paid work, voluntary work, training and education. We can work with people who live in these Middlesbrough wards:

Ayresome, Beckfield, Beechwood, North Ormesby and Brambles Farm, Clairville, Gresham, Hemlington, Ladgate, Middlehaven, Pallister, Park End, Thorntree, University.

What can we do for you?

Apply for jobs and finish application forms
Prepare for a paid job
Find voluntary work you like
Find training courses in local education centres and colleges
Write CVs for different jobs
Prepare for interviews, including talking about your mental health problem on application forms and during interviews
Get to an interview or place of work

Work with you at your speed, one step at a time
Help you if you decide to change your plans
Check on how you are getting on
Get in touch with employers to help you start work one step at a time
Help you when you have started work

What else can we do for you?

We run a weekly Job Club.
You can meet with someone who will help you with benefits and debt problems
We work with many other local services to help you find the support you need
We keep in touch and check on how you are

What are the benefits of the service?

Meeting new people and making friends
Earning money
Getting new skills
Feeling better about yourself
Structure and purpose to your week
Leisure time that becomes more valuable

Brush up on your English or Maths
Learn IT skills
Go to local evening classes, college or university and gain qualifications in other skills e.g. languages, art, counselling, cooking, etc.
Complete training for a particular job role

Some common barriers to work

People who have had mental health problems sometimes have difficulties finding work. They can be treated unfairly by others, which can affect their self confidence and stop them from looking for work. In fact, most people are better off in many ways when they start working. Sometimes people just need more support and understanding from employers.

At Mind, we understand that people with mental health problems want to work and can work.

The Employment Support Service helps people who have had difficulty finding and keeping work. We will spend time with you to look at what you can do, and want to do. We will help you to cope with difficulties while you are looking for work. We can identify skills and training opportunities that can help you with getting work and work experience.