Durham and Darlington: Employment Advisors in Talking Therapies

Gaining Employment - Looking for Work, Training or Volunteering

There are many barriers someone may have to gaining employment, our advisors are here to support you in assessing what yours may be and tackling them to reach your employment goals.

• Personalised one to one support on how to job search, write CVs, cover letters and fill in applications
• Build interview skills through workbooks and customised mock interviews with advice and guidance
• Build confidence and self-esteem through affirmation, tailored talks and workbooks
• Realise potential through guided conversation to build goals and plans
• Support to find opportunities to further develop goals with training, education, volunteering, or finding the right employers
• Support to build understanding around your rights and disclosing your mental health and any other medical conditions to prospective employers

"The service helped give me an insight into what employers are looking for, either during applications or when writing a CV."

Off Work Due to Sickness - Support While You Recover

Being off sick from work can add to feelings of anxiety and stress, we can support you into returning to your employment or finding a new role to better support your needs.

• Support with disclosing health conditions and reasonable adjustments
• Guidance around return-to-work meetings, phased return to work plans, and internal transfers
• Exploring alternative routes back into employment
• Support to receive benefit advice

"My advisor and the service was outstanding especially in my situation where I didn’t even know I could access this service - it was tremendous help and absolutely key in getting me positively back to work. Thank you and will highly recommend this service."

While You're in Work - Guidance to Stay Well and Progress

Whether your current employment is impacting your mental health, or vice versa, we can support you in making needed changes to improve your situation.

• Building your confidence to speak to your employer including your options around wellness action plans, occupational health, and access to work
• Advice on how to engage with and make the most of Union Representatives and the Job Centre
• Reasonable adjustments recommendations in the workplace pertaining to your physical and or mental health
• Understanding and managing stress, work-life balance, and wellbeing
• Support in addressing and resolving concerns with management and colleagues
• Identifying work solutions to overcome or minimise difficulties within the workplace

"I think this is such a good service that other clients would benefit from it. I now feel like I can ask questions about my rights as an employee. Things are much better at work now and I don't feel like leaving anymore."

Self-Employment - Supporting you and your business to grow

Whether you are currently self-employed, or looking to start your own business, our Employment Advisors are here to help you and your business grow.

• Self-Employment supporting documents including business plans and self-assessments
• Information on building a brand and social media
• Managing self-employment and health including mental health, physical health, neurodiversity and menopause
• Self-Employment to-do lists to ensure you have everything you need in place to succeed
• Referrals to specialist organisations and information around funding options

"I have a really good rapport with my Employment Advisor. She has sign posted me to some useful services that are helping me with my business and to get grants for equipment. I think the service has really helped me."