"IPS Employment Service - Bradford North"

I worked with the Children’s and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and had spent some time in a psychiatric hospital. During the end of my stay at the hospital I was designated a care coordinator. Due to my previous negative experiences with services, I had mixed feelings and very little trust in the health care system. During this time, I worked with an outside advocate called Peter who is a beautiful person. I found that Peter was very friendly, engaging and went out of his way to see me and offer support. 

After discharge, I had regular contact with my new care coordinator which was every 7 days. My care coordinator was Hafsa from North CMHT. She asked how she could support me. I said that the only thing that could help would be to get into work. Hafsa listened and offered to refer me to the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service, which I agreed to. Rayhaan, an employment specialist with IPS, contacted me quite quickly and arranged an initial appointment for a few weeks time. He contacted me a week before this appointment, which I greatly appreciated. On my first meeting I expressed how I felt that my life couldn’t change, and I lacked ambition. I asked if IPS could help me develop and pursue my passions and skillset. I wanted to work on my CV and cover letter and was motivated to complete a work day. I wanted the chance to meet different people who hadn’t known me with a “certain identity”.

Before my initial meeting, I felt flattened and without spirit. On my first appointment I did feel a little overwhelmed, with Rayhaan and his manager, John being present. However, I appreciated the privacy of the location. I felt the support was helpful. I continued to work with Rayhaan in developing my CV, job searching and preparing for interviews. I gained employment in a highly acclaimed dance company. I enjoyed the creative aspect of the role which included participating in the coordination of productions. I was getting in work support from Rayhaan and then felt I wanted to explore more opportunities where I could be more involved in the performing aspect. With support from Rayhaan, I was able to apply and gain employment overseas as an entertainment manager for a high-class chain of hotels.

The IPS service has helped me with everything. The service identified my mentality (creativity) and brought back my sense of intelligence especially when I was set tasks to complete. I feel that Rayhaan was motivational and he set soft targets. His influence was really helpful. During in work support, I would highlight areas I needed support in and Rayhaan would help. For example, Rayhaan helped me in drafting work emails. Rayhaan was able to sit with me and by working together I was able access the skills I had. Also, I felt like my intelligence was back to the forefront and beforehand I felt I had nothing in me. I even started to enjoy English again, especially when writing letters/applications where I explored my creativity to stand out. Additionally, I used to be behind in maths but then I worked with a private tutor which really helped.

I feel like I have achieved my employment goal. I feel emotional and have a lot of respect for Rayhaan who has helped me. I previously couldn’t see myself having a job again. By working with and seeing Rayhaan, and Caroline who is my Therapist, every week has really helped me regain intuition and I have learnt to take every day as it comes.

The IPS team has made me feel like I am valuable and that I am equal as we have worked collaboratively as opposed to feeling like it was patient and clinician. I felt like I could be vulnerable, transparent and very present.

I think that the service is fantastic!