My A4e - Anissa Mills

I am 39 years old, I have two children, Jade is 19yrs old and my son Declan is 12yrs old.

I have been on incapacity benefit for 22yrs, due to a rare blood condition. I have had many hospital visits through out that time, many life threatening. I’ve been on anti-depressants. For the last 10 years, I was feeling so low about my life and where I would end up at.

My son has A.D.H.D, and suffers with a bad heart, he is a very demanding child and needs a lot of attention, but he’s a lovely boy so loving, gentle and kind.

On January 2nd 2008 I went for an interview at Pathways A4e (Newport). In the morning I got up feeling nervous, scared felt like busting into tears. I thought “here we go I was going to be put on show and made to feel a useless waste of time” and a scrounger.
See I was used to that every 6 months; I would go to the job centre for an appointment to help get me back to work. But every time I came away from there feeling deflated, same questions every 6 months, why haven’t you got a job yet? HA! That’s why I’m here for help because I didn’t know what work I could do, because I’ve no experience with any work. Another question “what about your local shops? Yes not a problem, but is that what the rest of my life is going to be about? People ask my children “what does your mam do for a living?” “Oh, she works in the Spar.” I wanted better for me and my children.

I asked the lady if she would look into a carer position, or anything to do with animals. She looked at me as if I was pulling her leg and said “you’ve no experience in those types of jobs.”
Anyway those were the bleak times, I walked into Pathways and was greeted by a lady called Jan Shepherd, she shook my hand and offered me a cup of coffee, at that moment I felt calmer and not threatened. We sat down with our coffees and just talked in general about Christmas and the weather.

Another bloke came over and he told me his name was John Camilerie. I couldn’t believe how friendly and understanding they both was.

John asked me a question.

“What would you really like to do?” I thought here we go, he’ll look at me as if I’m completely barking. I told him I’ve always wanted to either work with animals or the elderly. He replied “that’s great,” he said we will look through the news papers and go on the net to see what he could come up with. I couldn’t believe they both took me seriously!
They asked me if I had any experience with the two jobs. I said no. Then they made me realise that I have had experience. I care for my son who is disabled, so I had life experience as a carer.
As for animals, I love them. I’ve had all sorts of animals. At the moment I have a snow dog called Keira. So! I have life experience again.
I felt that there was hope for me and my son to have a better future.

Diary notes

9th January 2008
Went to job club today, Jan made me a cup of coffee then we got to work. I found something I was interested in a carer’s position. Jan said “not a problem.” Then she told me to use one of the phones to ring for an application form. I couldn’t do it I felt sick, so she rang for me. Then I started panicking about the interview and thought “I can’t do this.”

January 2008
Went to a meeting at Pathways (directions), sat in a room with 4 other people in the same boat as me (yes now I didn’t feel on my own.) It was a meeting that would change my outlook on my life. A bloke walked in and introduced himself as Phil Hawkins.

He asked us all to tell him about ourselves. Again I felt sick, but when we had come to me I just talked and talked. Phil made every body feel that we were all special and not so worthless. When the meeting was over I felt fantastic, more confident, I really came out of my shell. The other people in the group looked and felt better in them selves too.

Feb 2008
Got my application form for the carers job, I took it straight to Pathways because I never knew what to do. They welcomed me yet again with a coffee and Jan helped me fill out the application form and I sent it off.
Then Jan congratulated me on doing a good job and made me a coffee. I realised Pathways were going to help me all the way, they care about their clients.

Feb 2008
I had a phone call for an interview. Rang Pathways, they told me to go down for a dummy run interview with Lisa Richards, so I would know how to dress, what I was going to say and how to sell myself. I was so grateful to Pathways because when I went to the interview, I thought to myself all the way there, Pathways have faith in me, so I should have faith in myself. I went into the interview feeling nervous, but as soon as the lady asked about experience, I just went in to over drive. I remembered the meeting about life experience and told her that I haven’t got anything on paper but I have a lot of life experience with the elderly. I am a voluntary care worker for a neighbour’s father for the last eleven years. I take him out for lunch every Tuesday, take him to hospital/doctors appointments and I do his shopping. And I told her about caring for my disabled son. By the time the interview had finished I felt great. I got home and rung Pathways and they were so proud of me. I never felt so proud of myself.

March 2008
I got the job I couldn’t believe it. I’d only been with Pathways a few weeks and already I got a job. Also I applied to the R.S.P.C.A, to be a volunteer.
I didn’t hold out much hope. I met Lisa again who worked at Pathways, fantastic lady helped me go though the internet for anything to do with animals. She would never rush me, always had time to help.
Filled out an application form for the R.S.P.C.A.

March 2008
Started my training for the carers job, first aid, health & safety, etc. I was there from 10am till 4.30 pm. I felt a new person, more in control of my future. Lisa at Pathways phoned me to see how I was getting on, I told her all about my day. She was so happy for me.

April 2008
I am now a qualified carer I’m so happy, proud of myself for working so hard. Even my son is proud of me and tells every one I’m a nurse “bless him” it’s the uniform.
He even asked me if we could go on holiday next year because I’ve got a job and we could afford it to.
It felt lovely to say to him “I can’t see why not” instead of “where are we going to get the money.”
Just waiting on C.R.B check then I’m off to work “feels good just to say that”
Since then I have got the job as voluntary worker at the R.S.P.C.A. I went to Pathways to tell them. They were all over the moon.
I told them straight;
If it wasn’t for Pathways I would still be the old Anissa, sad, lost, no future, no outlook on life, feeling sorry for herself.
Now I have all the confidence in the world.

THANKYOU PATHWAYS!

They invited myself and two others to the launch of Pathways at Cardiff. There I talked to the Minister of Employment about my experience with Pathways. Had photos taken with the minister and a guide dog (because I worked at the R.S.P.C.A they thought it would be a good photo.) The thought of talking to anyone before made me ill, now here I was talking to the Minister of Employment. Pathways has changed my life in so many ways.
They are all so friendly, caring and are always there to support you with anything you need.
They taught me to respect myself, give me confidence, brought out the more positive side of me. They really do care about their clients. You’re not just a number at Pathways you’re a friend.

I hope by reading my journey through Pathways, you might feel a little better knowing that you’re not on your own.
I thought that I would never get a job let alone two, working in jobs I love.

Put your confidence in Pathways.
They will give you all the support you need!
They are wonderful.

Keep up the good work
Thank you so much to all the staff
You’re a credit to a fantastic company
Anissa Mills