New Deal Mentoring
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Mentoring Case Studies
To protect the identity of the clients (mentees) we have substituted their real names for Mr ? or Mrs ?
Case study 1Mr X was an urgent direct referral from his NDPA. He lives on a housing estate where his chosen lifestyle clashes with the predominant lifestyle for young people in that area. A friend had already been attacked and he felt so intimidated that he would not leave his home unless he was certain that he would not encounter members of the rival group. He had to be accompanied from home to the job centre to sign on. The summer holidays were approaching and his mindset was that he would be stuck indoors for the whole period. His confidence and self-esteem were at rock bottom.
We discussed issues of personal safety including the use of whistles and personal alarms and looked at varying routes to meet up with friends so there would be ‘safety in numbers’. The Mentor also encouraged discussion with the police and community support officers so that they would be aware that someone was in difficulty if whistles or alarms were heard and to see if ‘hot spots’ could be patrolled more frequently.
The family were also encouraged to get involved with community leaders to see if dialog with appropriate agencies could develop longer term strategies to tackle the issues.
Mr X is now able to move around the area with confidence and freedom and has a positive attitude to his new deal job search.
Case study 2
Following 15 years employment in the motor trade Mr.Y has been unemployed for 2 years and felt abandoned. Personal issues also contributed to a downward spiral where he felt useless, de-motivated and lost.
The mentor was able to signpost Mr Y to appropriate support for his personal issues (contact with children) and through discussion and support Mr Y was able to see that existing skills could be transferred into other roles. Confidence and motivation were also explored and he was able to move forward and find employment in the wholesale industry.
Case study 3
Mr B, Male aged 37. Mr.B was evicted from accommodation in Cromer and came to Norwich and was living on the streets. An Armstrong Learning Mentor signed Mr.B onto the mentoring programme. Within 48 hours the mentor managed to get £50 in funding from a Christian society for a deposit for Mr B to be able to get accommodation in the YMCA.
The mentor worked alongside a key worker and Norcas on Mr B's drug & alcohol issues. For 5 weeks Mr B did not have a drink and he has now got part time employment with Argos.
Mr B said to the mentor
I would not be where I am now if it was not for you.
Case study 4
Mr W was referred to a mentor by his tutor at a training provider for help with 'financial matters'. Following a meeting with Mr W the mentor ascertained that he had only ever worked for low paid 'cash in hand' jobs because he was unable to open a bank account - he has sought assistance with this on several occassions over the past 16 years but to no avail!
The mentor explained to Mr W that he would have great difficulty in opening a 'Current Account' because he has no credit history and cannot produce the identification required in the form of a passport or driving licence together with utility bills in his name.
The mentor did explain to Mr W that he could open a 'Basic Bank Account'. This would allow wages to be paid in; he could set up direct debits and could pay for goods and withdraw cash with a debit card. He would not have any loan or overdraft facilities nor would he have a cheque book.
The mentor completed an ND13 for Mr W to take to his NDPA asking that they provide him with a letter on headed paper confirming that he was Mr W together with a New Deal Travel Card which includes photo ID. I instructed Mr W to take this information together with a copy of his Tenancy Agreement to one of the banks that I had identified in his area that provide 'Basic Bank Accounts'. Mr W did as instructed and opened an account last week with £1. He is on a work placement with Shackleton's that may lead to a job offer. Mr W is so happy as he now feels that he is in a position that will enable him to take on a salaried position.
Case study 5
Mr Z is 24 years old was a direct referral from the Jobcentreplus. He had many barriers preventing him getting back to work. He was homeless and lived under a bridge. He was a severe alcoholic and used drugs whenever he could get them. He is a lovely bright, funny and incredibly creative young man who lost his way and just needed someone to talk to and support him through his crisis.
I began Mentoring him in November 2006 and continued to Mentor him for 6 months or more. He attended appointments regularly and was very responsive to the advice and guidance I gave him.
One day after 4 months of Mentoring Mr Z, I attended a Doctors appointment with him, he had blood tests taken, and the result of that was, Mr Z was borderline cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 22.
At the time, Mr Z was not well in health. After collapsing, a few times he asked for my help in supporting him through a detox program. After six weeks, Mr Z was clean for the first time in 8 years.
7 months on Mr Z still keeps in touch and is now living in a sheltered flat under a fantastic support program in Northampton and taking Art classes. I am pleased to say still clean from drugs and alcohol.
Case study 6
Mr J is 23 years old and was a direct referral from the Training Provider. He is a very intelligent young man with ambition, his barrier preventing him from moving forward was being homeless and not having a place to live for 18 months. Living from a sofa to sofa or even a park bench every now and then.
Mr J wanted help getting housed, I was able to facilitate a recommendation for a housing program ran in Hatfeid this involved liasing with a support officer and in 3 weeks he was Housed in the progam and successfully living in his own flat. He is now working and still hoping to set up his own business.
Case study 7
Mrs P, by her own admission had suffered from mental health issues for the past 10 years; she believes that these have been her barriers to employment. As a result from childhood experiences Mrs P suffered from depression and periodically, seriously self harmed. Mrs P stated that she felt safe discussing this with her Mentor, she had never been able to disclose these problems with anybody before. Over a period of 6 months Mrs P's Mentor encouraged her to seek medical help and accompanied her to appointments.
She stated that without the help of her mentor “she dreads to think were her life would be now”. Mrs P continues to improve; she has recently completed 2 months of a 6 months, New Deal programme, which is the longest she has ever committed to in the past.
Case study 8
Mrs K is a Eritriean Asylum seeker who has been in the UK since 2004. She applied for a settlement visa in December 2004 before her stay expired. To date she has used various methods to get some sort of answer from the Home Office regarding her case, as she had no passport and no photographic ID to use to get a job, open a bank account etc... She was very stressed and frustrated with this situation.
Since receiving mentoring advice and guidance, Mrs K has found a cleaning job. The company was paying in cheque which meant she was paying £7.00 each week to have the cheque cashed. The mentor managed to get a bank account opened for her after 4 years of struggle.
The mentor wrote to the Home Office explaining her situation and why she requires ID. We have managed to get some communication going and also got the local MP involved to assist us to get Mrs K her settlement.
Mrs K is very happy to have a life in some sort of order and has started to live a better quality and content daily life.
Case study 9
Mrs G is self motivated. She had no job and had no accommodation. She needed some guidance and advise on career choice and what is available. The mentor carried out some job search and looked at courses that were available as Mrs G is interested in education and language interpretation jobs.
Mrs G has got a part time job with learn direct and also is pursuing self employed interpretation contract with a local business.
Mrs G has been staying with relatives for the past 2 years, they have moved so she had no place to stay. She decided to stay temporarily with a friend, but still wanted a place of her own. We tried the council, who had no single 1 bed flats available, however we visited a few estate agents, and one of them offered Mrs.G a flat providing the council are going to contribute to her rent.
I visited the Council office and went to see the flat. Mrs G has accepted the flat and she will be moving after xmas. She was very pleased and again didn’t have enough words to say thank you.
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