Engaging in work-related activity often provides a sense of fulfilment and increased confidence.

Being in employment can:

  • Build your confidence and skills
  • Increase your social network
  • Improve your financial situation
  • Provide a sense of purpose

We provide personalised employment support.  Whether you're looking for a new job, staying in your current role, or want to overcome barriers that may be holding you back, we’re here to guide you towards achieving your goals.

We’re a team of experienced employment advisers, bringing together professionalism and lived experience.

Our goal is to provide the support and guidance you need to overcome practical barriers, empowering you on your path to recovery.

To be eligible for support, you must be accessing the talking therapies service in Bury, Heywood, Middleton or Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, Tameside or Glossop. Read more about the talking therapies services. 

Please let your practitioner know that you’d like employment support, and they’ll refer you to our service.

We can also support you while you’re waiting for your talking therapies treatment to start. Contact the team and let them know you’d like employment support (see the links under 'get in touch').

Overcoming practical barriers

We offer confidential advice and guidance to address the following:

  • Debt
  • Housing
  • Welfare benefits
  • Caring responsibilities
  • Social isolation
  • And more…

Employment support while in work or off sick

  • Managing employer relationships
  • Reasonable adjustments
  • Work planning
  • Access to work
  • Referral to employment legal advice
  • Career progression

Helping you to find work or training

  • Career guidance
  • Create a health adjustment passport (advises your employer of any health issues/disabilities and what reasonable adjustments you need)
  • Training opportunities
  • CV development
  • Interview preparation
  • Job search and application
  • Supported employment
  • Apprenticeships

Once we receive your referral:

  1. An employment adviser will contact you to book a meeting, at a time that suits you.
  2. During the meeting we will discuss your current circumstance in more detail. 
  3. A personal plan will be created to address your needs.
  4. We will continue to meet in person, online, or over the phone to offer support towards your goal.
  5. Once we have completed our appointments, we will provide a detailed progress plan and discharge you from the service. 

  • “Adam opened my eyes to skills I didn’t know I had. I learned so much about myself and feel I can do so much more. I’m a completely different person. In a short period, they’ve transformed me. It's truly changed my life, and I cannot thank them enough.” Read Joana's story.

  • "Fatira really took the time to listen to everything I shared about my situation, especially as a single mum and sole carer for my daughter, which obviously limits the kind of work I can do. Even though I can’t take on just any job due to needing flexibility, Fatira was kind, patient, and never made me feel judged. She helped me as much as she could and pointed me in the right direction without any pressure."
  • “Thank you so much for your incredible support and guidance. Your advice has been invaluable in helping me stay in work and keep moving forward. I truly appreciate all your help."
  • “Isaac was very good at listening, understanding and being compassionate – and understanding my neurodivergent issues, which has been really helpful.”
  • "Shafia helped build my confidence and motivation, offering valuable support during challenging times. I’m looking forward to being re-referred into the service and working on improving my CV to move closer to my employment goals."

  • "I am suffering from severe low confidence and low self-esteem and I felt Sharon did an outstanding job of making me feel welcome and assisted with boosting my self confidence."

  • “Anne made a very anxious and daunting experience very easy to move forward. She has given me the confidence to go out and look for work again and ask for support. The one thing I have also taken from support is to not burn myself out in a role and to take my time and find a role that doesn't require so many demands. It’s ok not to offer to do everything for everyone.”

  • "Jerry was brilliant. He was so friendly, put me at ease, was easy to talk to and knew his stuff. His advice and work on my CV and intro letters was amazing. I hardly recognised myself! He understood my situation and it was like a counselling session every couple of weeks."