Name: Judith Sykes
Location: Kendal, South Lakes
Previous work and experience: Judith was a Human Resources Officer in a large chartered accountancy practice. She was responsible for a range of activities including graduate recruitment and associated organisation of events.
Disability or incapacity: When pregnant with her first daughter, Judith had a severe flare up of her rheumatoid arthritis and this made it impossible for her to continue to work. Recently she has been able to take part in a clinical trial of a new treatment and regain control of the arthritis so Judith is keen to return to work.
“I feel as if I am starting from scratch again after so long out of a working environment and I know that I have lost a lot of self-esteem. Recent training and meeting other people at the Return to Work course has helped me to stay motivated and focused on finding employment as well as building up my confidence again.”
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Benefits of the CREA Return to Work scheme: Judith has been funded to complete her ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) at Kendal College and she also has regular meetings with Angela Staples at CREA to keep in touch about new opportunities and to tackle practical things like reviewing and refreshing her CV.
“Angela has treated me like a person rather than a statistic and she has been really good at encouraging me to ask and push for information. I can feel the old me coming back and that is partly down to Angela and the CREA scheme.”
Current status: Judith has recently completed a Return to Work course, organised by CREA and run by the Oaklea Trust and Cumbria County Council. This course aims to give participants advice and guidance with job applications, CV preparation and interview techniques. Judith is also working 2 days per week in the Kendal Oxfam shop on a voluntary basis.
Future plans and hopes: A work trial, where an employer takes on someone through this scheme for up to 6 weeks, is Judith’s next target. She would love to combine her experience of administration and her communication skills with being part of a lively team.
“A work trial would give me an opportunity to get beyond my CV and past illness so that a potential employer could see for themselves what I could offer to their team and their business. I am still applying for any appropriate jobs that come up but I think the trial approach might be my best chance of returning to work.”
“Judith came to me in September 2008, wanting to update her skills and to find employment in an administration or reception role. I explained her various options and Judith decided to attend the ECDL course. When she first came to me, Judith wasn’t very confident and didn’t believe in herself, which was sad because she is an intelligent and charming lady. The aim of the Return to Work course has been to increase her self-esteem and confidence and prepare Judith for employment. It has been a pleasure working with Judith and delightful to see her confidence develop.”
Angela Staples, Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency
Angela Staples , Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency
Contact Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) Kendal office on 015397 26624 for further information on the Return to Work scheme and also for advice on business start up courses.
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