As a 17-year-old college dropout, looking for a permanent job with only GCSE qualifications was quite difficult. I spent around about 3-4 months applying for apprenticeships and attending interviews (none of which I was successful with) until the opportunity with Hull and East Yorkshire Mind came along, which was a bit out of the blue. After being a client with Hull and East Yorkshire Mind for a period, I liked the idea of working to help a charity that helps people of any age struggling with their mental health and pass along that kindness that Hull and East Yorkshire Mind gave to me during my counselling.
Now, being 18 and 2 weeks into working for Hull and East Yorkshire Mind as the new admin apprentice, I’ve never been happier. I’ve been treated with the upmost respect and as though I’ve been here for years. Every member of staff I’ve dealt with has been so nice to me, almost like I’ve always been a member of staff and not a new starter who only started two weeks ago. Settling in was an easy task, being offered support every step of the way and being given the freedom to do my work in my own time and not having to stick to overly strict deadlines, something that is a big change for me after leaving college and secondary school. As much as it does still feel unusual being an 18 year old college dropout, the team at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind have made me feel so welcome and been so supportive with my transition into my new job and going from now at the backend of my second week, I feel like this job presented itself at the perfect time for me and is the job I’m more than happy moving on with and sticking at for years to come.
