At the beginning of the year, I had a job I was really happy with working front of house in a theatre. Then lockdown happened, and I eventually ended up being made redundant. When I found out about that, I was angry and confused. For the whole of lockdown, I hoped that eventually theatres would open again and I would get my job back and everything would be fine. But obviously that didn’t happen. I was feeling really low.

I have struggled with mental health a lot in my life. The worst point was around five years ago when I was in sixth form; I was at a really, really low point and I really didn’t like the person that I was. So this year, I was really scared because I could feel myself becoming that person again. Not working for six months was accelerating my decline. I wasn’t hearing back from jobs that I was applying for and I had financial responsibilities piling up. Instead of facing them, I just wanted to bury my head and run away from it.

I heard about the Spear Programme through my work coach at the Job Centre.  I was reluctant at first and didn’t think it was for me. I thought it would be another one of those things where you just have a call for an hour, and get some feedback on your CV that you never act on. But that’s not what it was. During my one on one with my Spear Coach Mel, I realised these people are actually here to help me. So I decided to commit, and I am honestly so happy that I did.

The Spear Programme helped me with the practical things – like I now have a CV that I’m super proud of and I am confident writing cover letters – as well as my mindset. I was in a really negative mindset that has now completely shifted. I’m also changing my habits to be more productive – I have a timetable I fill out each day that keeps me motivated and keeps my self-belief up.

We had group mock interviews, off the back of which I have a trial shift tomorrow with a job that I am really excited about! I only have limited time to talk to you now, but I could talk for ages about all of the little things and the bigger things that the Spear Programme has helped me with.