After being unemployed for over a year Mark, aged 28, was referred to Inspira by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). During his initial meeting, he was introduced to the support available and given an overview of how Inspira could help him in returning to employment.

Mark shared that he was eager to get back into work but felt nervous and unsure about the direction he wanted to take. He also faced several challenges, including anxiety, depression, and epilepsy - managed with medication but triggered by lack of sleep and alcohol. At the time, he was also struggling to afford electricity.

He sent his existing CV to his adviser, who reviewed and improved it to make it more suitable for job applications. His adviser also encouraged him to contact his energy provider to switch to a prepayment meter, which would better support his financial situation.

Keen to work from home, Mark enrolled on a contact centre training course with Back2work in November 2024. Through this, he achieved qualifications in:

Level 2 Digital Skills
IT Skills
Level 1 Digital Contact Centre Operations
Level 1 Cyber Security

This lead to an interview with Teleperformance, and although he wasn’t successful in securing a role, his confidence was clearly growing.

Over the following months, Mark and his adviser continued working together, submitting applications to a range of businesses including Haven and Burnside Garden Centre, focusing on office-based and customer service roles. He additionally received support in creating tailored covering letters, with his adviser explaining the value of personalising applications.

They also took time to review his transferable skills, which led to Mark applying for retail positions too. To further support his goal, he completed a Retail Skills & Values course with Digital College in March 2025.

In April, his adviser shared an opportunity through a DWP and B&M partnership, offering a work trial to gain hands-on experience. Inspira supported Mark by helping him purchase a tie and prepare for the trial by using confidence-building tools and interview practice exercises available on our Inspiring Careers Platform.

Mark successfully completed the four-week work trial as a Retail Assistant at B&M. He is now feeling more focused, with improved mental wellbeing and a renewed determination to secure long-term employment.

Mark’s Journey Back to Work