Talent Coach Fozia, based at United Response in Bolton, has supported 18-year-old Leah to grow her confidence and secure a volunteering position at a local library.
Leah struggles with mental health issues including low confidence, depression and anxiety. Before joining Greater Manchester’s Hidden Talent, she was isolated at home and lacked confidence in herself and her ability. The prospect of finding a job was causing a lot an anxiety and Leah didn’t know what she wanted to do, having only ever worked one day as a volunteer.
Leah was referred to Greater Manchester’s Hidden Talent by Job Centre Plus in February 2022 and she has been meeting regularly with Fozia to discuss her progress and support her with completing applications for volunteering positions.
With Fozia’s support, Leah recently attended a 3-day confidence building course delivered by Bolton at Home to begin to tackle some of her barriers to employment. The course has given Leah some direction and more of a willingness to engage with support; she feels more able to deal with feelings of being overwhelmed, and is more confident in herself.
“Things don’t feel overwhelming when I look at them now.” - Leah
We are delighted that, since attending the course, Leah has been able to secure a volunteering position at a local library to continue to build her skills and experience to eventually progress into paid work.
Greater Manchester's Hidden Talent is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, and led by GMCVO.
The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment. For more information, visit here.
