Debbie Billam

Debbie Billam

Debbie had been unemployed for eight years when she joined our programme. She described her self-esteem as very low, with no motivation to even leave the house, let alone look for work. She also said her lack of experience in job searching and the interview process made it even more difficult.

On our programme, she was guided through each of the steps and helped with her interview and application skills. As well as this, the support she received really helped her build confidence.

Now Debbie is in work, she is extremely happy and feels her confidence has improved greatly. She hopes to continue in her current job, and increase her hours more and more.

Well done Debbie!

John Hey

John came to us as an experienced driver with a lot of practical skills, but with severe dyslexia. During his childhood, he was educated in a special needs school and…

Luke Abbott

Luke had been unemployed for over a year and was feeling mentally drained from all of the knock-backs he was receiving. He felt as if he would never work again.…

Lee Taylor

Lee was struggling to find work through agencies and felt he wasn’t making the progress he wanted. He also found that his experiences were putting him off applying altogether. He…

Solomon Gordon

Solomon came to the Portland Academy team from Nacro in Sheffield, who support offenders moving back into employment. He had struggled to find work and gain education/training due to his…

Steve Hodson

After being unemployed for a long time, Steve was worried he would never work again. He then heard about our Warehouse course through a job centre and decided to give…

Scott Fletcher

Scott had provided long term care for a parent and found himself unemployed for 5 years. He also felt that his reliance on public transport had limited his opportunities. Scott…

Carol Forbes

Carol took part in our Warehouse Course. She had been unemployed for 5 years – applying for jobs, and even taking part in training, but nothing came of it all.…

Rob Hatfield

Rob took part in our Warehousing Course. He had been long term unemployed, following an injury, and found that being out of work for a long period of time meant…

Leanne Dyson

Finding out about us from her Job Centre work coach, Leanne enquired about our Care Courses. She had been unemployed for a long period of time and found it made…

Kim Moates

Kim discovered our Care course when attending a Job fair in Barnsley. She had been unemployed for around two and a half years and found that she struggled. She had…

Jackie Rapson

Jackie had been struggling with multiple years of unemployment, low confidence and self-esteem, and even depression. However, in the past, she had worked in the Care Industry, and so was…

T.J.

T.J felt his self-esteem and confidence had been affected hugely by being out of work for twenty years. He made the decision to try and get back into work, wanting…