Julie Pert
Julie P
Hello, I’m Julie and I have been working with Balhousie Care Home for four months now and I’m really enjoying it.  
I worked in Dundee as an optical technician, making prescription lenses for glasses. I did that for 26 years.  I got made redundant because the place ceased trading and so I got another job which lasted 9 months because I couldn’t really do the job – it was too intricate, so they had to pay me off because I was unable to do that job
When I was told I couldn’t do the job I felt totally useless – I was depressed.  The illness took its toll so I ended up being unemployed.
Julie Beckett (Cornerstone)
Cornerstone run the employability programme, Work Choice, which is from the DWP.  And what we do is it’s a six month, what was called Module 1, so Job Search Support, and that is supporting people with a wide range of learning difficulties or mental health issues in finding work – so with their CV’s and application forms and things.
Julie P
When I went to the Job Centre for the first time I felt useless, lost, and would I ever be able to work again – but then I was introduced to Cornerstone.
Julie B
So at the first appointment we would discuss what the client’s needs are, what their difficulties are – because we get people with a wide range of health issues or mental health issues or learning difficulties.  So it is working out how we can support that client through the six month job searching process.  So firstly we help them to do their CV, highlighting all their skills and experience and then we would promote that CV – whether that be like sending out speculative letter to employers or making telephone calls.  And also if the client sees any jobs, maybe on the internet or at the Job Centre, that they want to apply for, then we help them with that as well.
We really tailor to meet every single client – it is really helping the client work out what they want to do and how we are going to go about doing it.
Julie P
They asked me what I would prefer myself.  I did say that I would quite like care home or in a kitchen or something like that – I was willing to give anything a try.
Julie B
So when we are approaching employers, it would be to meet the client’s needs.  So if they would like to work in a care home, then we would look at what care homes are in the area, and for example this care home was doubling in size, a brand new build, so we knew there would be job vacancies there.  So that was why this specific home was targeted by us, to discuss with the Manager, Joyce, if she would be willing to take a placement.
Joyce Chalmers (Care home Manager)
Cornerstone were very helpful.  The gentleman from Cornerstone came to my office and said “would you be able to give some people and opportunity to get back into the workforce”, and I was more than delighted to be able to help when he was able to produce somebody like Julie.  So it was superb.
Julie P
Yes, I came into Monk Barns Care Home and I met Joyce, the Manager.  She was great – she was happy with me – I was put on like a six week placement.  At first I thought “oh I am not going to manage this and that”, but I got on fine.
Julie B
Work placements are really good to find out how things are working, because although we meet with the clients on a weekly basis, we are not meeting with them in an employment situation.  So if they are on time for me but they are maybe half an hour later for their work every day, that is something that we can only find out once they are in the placement, because it maybe is something as simple as they are getting the wrong bus to work and they don’t know what else there is out there, so we can help with things like that.
Julie P
I don’t think I would ever have found this job or managed the job without Cornerstone – their support was great.
We have got employers across the board, but we are always trying to bring in more.  I think in the current climate it is important that we bring in more employers, because it is hard just to go for those advertised jobs that there are so many people going for.  So we do have employers sort of across the board, but we are always looking to build on that.  
Joyce
Balhousie’s approached to employ people with you know, sort of disabilities such as Julie’s – it is really … you know, we want to embrace them and give everybody an absolute chance and opportunity to get back into the workforce again.
Julie P
When I am in the kitchen I like … I help with doing salads or help making sandwiches, and my main thing is like doing a lot of dishes and making sure the kitchen and that is completely clean at all times.  And after I have done that I do the breakfasts for residents and then, depending on which shift I am on, I get to serve the main meals as well.  So yes, the day just flies past because you are so busy all the time – you don’t have time to look at the clock or anything – it is just great.
Joyce
I think everybody should be given an opportunity regardless of backgrounds or disabilities, because you just never know, you can get an absolute cracker, a diamond.
Julie P
Everyone is always saying I am always smiling, why am I always happy – but because I am just so glad to be in work again.  I can do work – disability doesn’t always have to be an issue.

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For more information about this case study, see http://content.iriss.org.uk/journeys/