European
Social Fund
Catherine Scorgie's story
20,000th client
Everyone’s journey to work is different and for our 20,000th client, Catherine Scorgie, her journey was both powerful and unique.
When she first engaged with Routes To Work in October 2019, Catherine was clear in her job goal - telling case worker Janice Shilliday she simply wanted to bake cakes!
In fact, baking was Catherine’s dream job and, thus, we enlisted her to the European Social Fund (ESF) programme to try to make that dream a reality.
It started with small steps as, at the time, Catherine had no real work experience and was struggling with her confidence.
To help improve her self-belief, Catherine attended a range of courses including: Building Confidence & Self-Esteem and Spring Forward.
On these courses, Catherine gained skills in interview preparation, attended application workshops and carried out a range of mock interviews.
This led to Catherine taking the next step on her journey, as she was successful in getting a placement, giving her a taste of the working world.
To support her, we referred Catherine to HOPE For Autism as she continued to work with Janice towards finding employment.
It was then, some 19 months later, in May 2021 that Catherine got the news she’d been waiting for as she’d been offered a position as a kitchen assistant at The Royal Hotel in Crieff.
Naturally, this was an exciting, but daunting opportunity for Catherine.
Besides entering into employment, Catherine also had to consider the huge life decision of moving from Cumbernauld to Crieff and all that comes with it.
She weighed up her options and decided to accept the offer, moving to Perthshire and renting a flat.
It was a massive step for Catherine, but, ably assisted by her mum and Routes To Work, was able to make the transition to a busy role in the kitchen.
Working full-time, she was able to gain experience in carrying out different duties and improved her confidence even further.
Keeping in touch with our In-Work Support Advisor Mary Hunter throughout the whole process, Catherine reported back about her long, but rewarding shifts.
Happy and learning lots, at the end of 2021, Catherine felt she was in the position to apply for a pastry chef role at the four-star Crieff Hydro.
And she was successful, fulfilling her ambition of spending her days baking cakes for a living.
Speaking about her journey with Routes To Work, Catherine said:
“I’m still standing, I wouldn’t be where I am today without Routes To Work and Janice and Mary’s support the whole way through.
“A thousand thank yous for everything. It is an amazing feeling to be the 20,000th person to be helped into work by Routes To Work.
“Moving from Cumbernauld to Crieff was exciting, I was nervous, but it was a new adventure. It’s a different path, but I had to take it to be where I want to be.
“Life in Crieff is good, busy at work!”
One client commented: “The service I have received has been amazing, quick and effective. I was able to
get a job within a week of service
and I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Reflecting on her journey, RTW caseworker Janice speaks of Catherine’s courage and determination to get the job she wanted, she said:
“She did really, really well.
“I’m really proud of her for what she’s come through and to get where she is.
“You can genuinely see that she is happy with the support that Routes To Work has given her.
“We looked at other avenues, like cafes, or other opportunities in the hospitality sector.
“But she kept coming back, was determined and got what she wanted in the end. She did really well.”
