Back to Work scheme

In 2011 Terrence Higgins Trust offered a work placement scheme for people living with HIV who were receiving incapacity benefits or income support but had been unemployed for two years. John, one of the successful applicants, tells his story here.

'I've been HIV positive for 22 years. Fifteen years ago I gave up full time work due to illness I didn’t expect to recover from.

'After unsuccessful attempts to get back to work I retreated from the world, and friends and family. Over time I became increasingly isolated, losing all self esteem and confidence. By the age of 47, I’d given up on myself; grateful to be alive, but not living; disengaged and invisible.

'But then last year I was fortunate enough to gain a place on Terrence Higgins Trust’s ‘Back to Work’ scheme. Not having expected to even get an interview, here I was being given a chance to see how much I could push myself, with a huge safety net and nothing to lose. I would gain up-to-date references, Microsoft training, workshops, a line manager, a mentor and a life coach thrown in, courtesy of EJAF.

'I have gained so much more than I could ever have expected but it hasn’t all been easy. I wasn’t used to being around people and I’d never worked in an office, so how would I handle the working hours whilst managing the health issues I still have?

'Despite all my self doubts, I threw myself in head first. My body did not keep up with me initially but gradually I learned how to pace myself; my stamina increased; I just kept pushing and eventually came out the other side.

'To call this a life changing experience is an understatement. I’ve proved to myself that I’m capable of so much more than I thought possible. I was afraid to leave my comfort zone, yet now I never want to go back - every aspect of my life is different now; I feel like a real person again.

'I can’t believe I love being around people again and how much I can pack in a day. I feel more alive than I have done in years; it’s a whole new chapter with my confidence returning and the bonus of having a sense of purpose I never had before. Now not only do I believe I can still have a future - I’m no longer afraid of it and anything’s possible!’

Would you like to take part in the next Back to Work programme? Applications open on 1 April 2012. Interviews will be held in May and placements will start in June. For enquiries please contact Ruth Burns on ruth.burns@tht.org.uk

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