Jai Elder's Story
In her own words, Jai Elder “wanted more from life” when she got in touch with Routes To Work back in January 2021
Jai (24) was struggling with her confidence and mental health after being out of work for a while and, quite simply, didn’t know where to start.
Thankfully, once she met Routes To Work caseworker Jade Acheson, a plan was quickly implemented.
Coatbridge resident Jai was referred to Routes To Work via the Jobcentre in January 2021 and immediately started working with Jade to find her next step.
It was a huge step and an exciting journey in equal measure for Jai as she was placed on the Young Person’s Guarantee programme.
The YPG scheme - which is designed for 16-24-year-olds looking to find their next or first positive destination - offers clients the opportunity to explore many avenues.
For Jai, that meant a few stops on her journey to employment.
Jade started by enrolling Jai in courses to help boost her
self-esteem and to allow her to pick up valuable skills such
as a REHIS Food Hygiene Certificate.
As she grew in self-belief, Jai began to push herself as she earned a position as a volunteer at a British Heart Foundation charity shop in Coatbridge.
Jai loved engaging with the customers and the sense of value the role gave her.
Seeing her progress, Jade felt it was time to help Jai find paid employment as she was transferred to the European Social Fund (ESF) programme.
Through the scheme, Jai was able to access support with her travel fees, work wear and found various opportunities.
Jai worked at Currys PC World and Showcase Cinemas, before sourcing a job at the Evri warehouse, where she is relishing her new sense of purpose as well as the social aspect of work.
From simply wanting more from life, Jai says engaging with Routes To Work has been “life-changing”.
"For me, it was life-changing. I was the person that didn’t have self-esteem, didn’t have confidence, didn’t feel good about themself.
“To see me now making others feel good about themselves, making people smile and making people happy.
“I mean wow, I got support with travel to work, work wear, you know, they gave me support with everything. I never felt I had that with any other support I’ve had in my life.
“Having that from Jade and everyone else I’ve worked with, I couldn’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me.
“I could start crying, honestly, because it’s been such a whirlwind experience and it’s something I’d recommend to everybody.”
Seeing her progress through engaging with Routes To Work, Jade feels proud at what Jai has achieved.
"It just fills me with pride.
“To see the person that we first met, albeit it was on Teams and we were all working from home so it was always through a camera, and now to see her come in and look absolutely fantastic.
“She’s got a glow about her, she’s absolutely buzzing about her new job now as well and it just makes me feel so proud to have been a part of her journey.”
Seeing her progress through engaging with Routes To Work, Jade feels proud at what Jai has achieved.
She added: “It just fills me with pride.
“To see the person that we first met, albeit it was on Teams and we were all working from home so it was always through a camera, and now to see her come in and look absolutely fantastic.
“She’s got a glow about her, she’s absolutely buzzing about her new job now as well and it just makes me feel so proud to have been a part of her journey.”
Seeing her progress through engaging with Routes To Work, Jade feels proud at what Jai has achieved.
She added: “It just fills me with pride.
“To see the person that we first met, albeit it was on Teams and we were all working from home so it was always through a camera, and now to see her come in and look absolutely fantastic.
“She’s got a glow about her, she’s absolutely buzzing about her new job now as well and it just makes me feel so proud to have been a part of her journey.”
