My name is Stuart, a gay male-presenting non-binary individual from the Highlands of Scotland. I currently live in south London, and have done so for the last ten years.
Over the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, I reevaluated a lot of aspects of my life, including the work situation to which I would eventually be returning.
As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, I find searching for new employment very difficult. Motivation doesn’t come easily and rejection often prompts me to give up.
In previous attempts, this ended with me taking jobs I wasn’t necessarily that enthusiastic about to begin with, and resulted in my issues with employment not really being solved.
Dominic helped me to focus my search, and signposted courses and volunteering opportunities that would help to get me onto a career path that would fit my aspirations to become an art therapist in the future.
He listened to my concerns empathetically, and truly honed in on the areas that needed the most work – for example, we didn’t need to spend a lot of time on elements like my CV, but when it came to applying for volunteer roles he helped me use language that would paint my experience in the best light considering the roles I was applying for.
He also took a genuine interest in my hobbies, which inspired me to continue drawing in my spare time and I have since become a self-employed digital artist and graphic designer, with a long standing customer in Soho as my first commission.
I have also secured an interview with London Friend, a charity working with issues that are close to my heart. I don’t believe I would have had the confidence or knowledge to achieve this had it not been for the service Dominic provided in our sessions.
I would like to personally thank Dominic for the informative and focused service he provided, and for helping me to get on the right track with my employment search. I would recommend that anyone struggling with issues similar to mine consider discussing their employment issues with their GP so that they might also get help in overcoming them.
Sometimes, all you need is a push in the right direction to realise that you can get on a career path that you find genuinely rewarding and enjoyable!
If you’re unemployed or having difficulties at work, support is available. Check if you’re eligible for employment support from Work Well.