Jobs and Careers Summer 2021 - 293

SUMMER 2021
Employee spotlights
Clive Woolf
PEER MENTOR INTEGRATED
SUBSTANCE MISUSE
Yahya Delair
TRAINEE PSYCHOLOGICAL
WELLBEING PRACTITIONER
" I've been with Turning Point for
three years, having begun peer
mentor training in 2018.
" Following rehab, aftercare and
a period of abstinence, I fell back
into heavy drinking, which had a
serious impact on my personal
life: blackouts, losing my driver's
licence and a stint in prison. I
realised something had to change
and approached my local Turning
Point service in 2015, where I
began group work and undertook
training courses at the suggestion
of my keyworker. In 2019 I started
an engagement group to support
others, something managed and
led entirely by us peer mentors.
" These days I spend time on
phone check-ins with people
referred to Turning Point by their
keyworkers, as well as liaising
with keyworkers themselves. I
enjoy using my lived experience
and understanding to help others
overcome their problems - giving
support is hugely rewarding.
" The peer mentor training was
great, meeting others and
developing opportunities was
eye-opening. I think anyone with
lived experience should consider
helping others. Everyone's path is
unique, but being there to listen
and support can help people's
choices in turning their lives
around. I love to help others stay
clean and keep occupied. "
" I've been with Turning Point for
18 months, as a volunteer and
then as a trainee psychological
wellbeing practitioner (PWP).
" My background had exposed
me to health and social problems
- poverty, crime, violence and a
lack of opportunity - so I'd been
involved with community-based
mental health and substance
misuse work for years, helping
to rehabilitate and educate.
" A family friend introduced me
to Turning Point and I enquired
about voluntary work; I was a
full-time graphic designer at
the time but wanted to further
my support skills. I volunteered
as a community coordinator,
working in schools and hospitals.
Later I decided to go with the
PWP course, knowing I wanted
to continue providing support
and reasoning that getting a
title would give some authority
in my ability to do this.
" Raising awareness is very
important to me, especially
in minority communities.
My approach developed
through my work; I wanted
to empower myself so I could
motivate and inspire others.
" I'd urge anyone to follow
suit. We can't change the
world overnight, but if we can
effect change on a local level,
we're taking steps to do so. "
Heather Padgett
TALENT DEVELOPMENT
ASSISTANT
" I came to Turning Point through
the government's Kickstart
scheme - just two weeks ago! I'd
been made redundant halfway
through an apprenticeship owing
to Covid-related cutbacks. I
was struggling to find work and
accessing universal credit when
I was given the opportunity
to enrol in the scheme, and
from a shortlist of available
placements I decided that
Turning Point was the most
enticing. The organisation's
work is incredibly varied and I
could relate to a lot of that.
" Having made my choice,
I reached out to express my
interest. Communication was
positive and consistent, and
following an interview with my
would-be line managers I was
thrilled to be offered the position!
" I'm so grateful for the
Kickstart scheme and to Turning
Point for utilising it. It's a huge
help for young people at risk
of long-term unemployment to
find work and learn new skills.
" During my placement I hope
to learn all about Turning Point
and the work we do, not just
my immediate surroundings but
on a wider level. I'd really like
to develop as a professional,
boosting my confidence and
building my time-management
and organisational skills. "
Jobs and Careers Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Summer 2021
