Patrick’s Story

"Patrick started, very reluctantly, with ROAD on 14th February 2017. Initially, he didn’t want to engage with us, but soon realised that ROAD was there to help him."

Patrick started, very reluctantly, with ROAD on 14th February 2017. Initially, he didn’t want to engage with us, but soon realised that ROAD was there to help him. Over the months he has worked hard with his Health and Wellbeing Health Trainer, Jane Marley at Pioneering Care Partnership, and his Finance and Digital Coach, Emma Woods at Citizens Advice County Durham, to help to improve his lifestyle, finance and ICT skills. He has also worked with Geoff, Financial Crisis worker also at Citizens Advice to help with a sanction. He began working with Vicky Wood, Employer Engagement Navigator at Groundwork NE & Cumbria and he secured a job as a security guard on the 24th of November 2017, becoming the first Participant of ROAD Navigator, Alison, to get a job! Of Patrick, Alison from Groundwork NE & Cumbria says, “He loves coming to work with us here at ROAD, has previously been involved in the first ROAD Participant forum and received very positive feedback from his Job Coach at Peterlee Job Centre Plus. He is the perfect Participant and we think the world of him!” A huge well done to everyone who worked with Patrick to help him on his ‘road’ to employment, and to Patrick for being a joy to work with.