Project Title

Focus Forward

Funders

UKSPF

Amanda's Journey -

Amanda’s journey shows how UKSPF-funded employment support in Torbay, provided by Eat That Frog, empowers individuals to regain confidence and rejoin the workforce.

Background/Reason for Joining Eat That Frog

Amanda came to Eat That Frog facing significant barriers, the most prominent being her lack of confidence. Having been out of work for some time, Amanda had lost faith in her abilities and felt unprepared to re-enter the workforce. This period of unemployment had also left her feeling isolated, spending much of her time at home without regular social interaction.

Amanda recognised that she needed support to overcome these challenges and take steps towards improving her life and future prospects.

Support given by Eat That Frog

Amanda began her journey at Eat That Frog’s Torquay centre, working closely with her Learning Mentor, Louise Gregory.

Together, they identified Amanda’s personal goals and reviewed her progress on a weekly basis, ensuring tailored and consistent support. Amanda attended sessions designed to help her rebuild her employability skills and confidence.

She took part in a CV workshop with Trish McMullan through the National Careers Service, where she successfully updated her CV to better reflect her skills and experiences.

Amanda also engaged with the Employability Hub, led by Mary Cassidy, where she developed essential interview techniques to help her feel more prepared for the workplace. Recognising Amanda’s feelings of isolation, Louise encouraged her to participate in the UNO club, a social activity that provided Amanda with the opportunity to build friendships, improve her social skills and widen her support network. A key part of Amanda’s development was learning to navigate the online job market.

Louise provided step-by-step guidance on how to search for jobs online and supported Amanda through the process of completing online application forms, which was something Amanda was unfamiliar with.

Outcome / Qualifications gained

Amanda fully embraced the support provided and committed herself wholeheartedly to her development. Her dedication and hard work quickly paid off!

Amanda was successful in securing an interview and completed a trial shift at The Range. Her confidence and preparation shone through and she was offered a part-time position by the end of the same week.

Amanda is now thriving in her new role and is excited to continue building her skills and gaining valuable work experience. Thanks to the support from Eat That Frog, Amanda has re-entered the workforce with renewed self-belief and a positive outlook on her future.