Our very first newletter!

People go into hospital to be operated on, to have this and that fixed in their body. One individual went to hospital to work.

Hi, I'm Peter Hall and this is my story about a man and his job at Lower Hutt Hospital. Being out of work has its disadvantages. Loss of confidence, loss of ability, loss of contacts to the point where you're more than likely to just sit at home and stare at the TV all day. It sounds fun right? Sure, at first, but after a while it becomes a boring routine of the same non-event day after day.

I do some volunteering at Take 5 which is a drop in centre in Waterloo, but it's only one day a week and while it's a good thing to do, I felt that I needed to upgrade to a proper paid job.

And thanks to the support and help with getting a job through Valley Transitionz, I was on my way. I was nervous on the first day and of course that was to be expected. I had no idea how I was going to be seen by everyone else, would they see me as another worker or as someone with an illness that would be a burden on them.

Luckily for me, they welcomed me with open arms and the illness wasn't a factor for them.

Working with new people was something I wasn't looking forward to, I was out of my comfort zone and was scared that I wouldn't be able to do the job properly, but I was told that I had done an amazing job and that gave me a little hope for the rest of the time I was working at the hospital.

For starters, I washed cars which was a tough job. Then I was given the chance to work inside, filling out orders for various departments within the hospital (and on occasiion for various medical departments outside hospital grounds), I was also restocking shelves with medical supplies and tidying up the warehouse area. It was difficult at times, I often worried about my performance which resulted in me losing sleep on the nights before the job so that made the work unbearable, but I didn't give up and with so much support from everyone, I stuck to it and in the end, I even surprised myself that I lasted in a job this long.

No one else seeemed surprised, they all thought I was an amazing worker and any doubts that I had of my ability soon disappeared. I've got a lot out of the job at the hospital. I've got some new skills, met some wonderful people and broke free from the cycle of unemployment and depressing days of doing nothing.

Saying " I want a job" is the first step and that's easy. Help in getting a job and support when you're in the job is available. You have to take the first step and make that phone call to somewhere like Valley Transitionz or WINZ.

It's up to you

Question: How long have you been working at McDonalds?

Answer: Since August 2006, so more than 7 months now.

Question: How has your confidence been with the job?

Answer: Initially, I had no confidence going into the job due to my lack of focus, but slowly my confidence built up to the point where I'm really confident with my work. I also suffer from memory lapse which was a worry at first but as I got more used to the tasks and the area I was working in, my memory lapse hasn't been much of a problem.

Question: How do you compare working with Valley Transitionz to working with McDonalds?

Answer: It's not really different at all. With Valley Transitionz I was surrounded by so much support and friendliness and if I had any doubts about my ability to work, everyone would put an end to any doubts I had. With that support, I felt I could achieve so much. It's the exact same thing at McDonalds. I feel I have full support.

Question: Do you see yourself staying at McDonalds or will you move on?

Answer: I want to stay at McDonalds.

UPDATE; Since this interview in March 2007, Robin has been offered a permanent job at McDonalds.

I decided to join Valley Transitionz as a volunteer when I saw a job advertised on the notice board at Take 5. Since working on the Valley Transitionz programme I have gained hospitality and catering skills. I helped to make lunches and meals at Take 5 and I know the importance of hygiene when working with food. Time management skills is important too (Getting the food out on time can sometimes be tricky)

I have developed a regular routine and have learnt the importance of being punctual, reliable and dressed up (ready, willing and able). That helps to go into any suitable work vacancies.

I have also learnt communication and social skills and I have enjoyed working as part of a team. We have fun and it makes working a lot less stessful.

My confidence has grown since joining Valley Transitionz and I feel I am doing something worthwhile. I have learnt what I can do, what my strengths, abilities and needs are in a safe and supportive environment.