“I started my work placement with Reachout in October of 2024, after being out of work for a long time due to ongoing mental health issues. The studio immediately felt like home – everyone was so welcoming, patient and kind, and being somewhere safe and supportive has seen a massive improvement in my overall mental health and confidence.

I’ve really enjoyed all the different parts of my work placement at Reachout, from all the new opportunities to learn, to meeting the members and feeling part of a community. It has been genuinely life changing. I cannot thank the team enough!

On a personal note, it’s been great feeling like I’m doing really well at something, learning new skills, and realising the hidden skills I have.

he open supportive clear communication throughout my placement enabled me to get a better insight into employment barriers and seek further support. I also have so much more confidence. I managed to write and submit a job application without getting upset, which is monumental. It used to send me into emotional spiral, and highlight my lack of confidence. Now I look at job applications and think, tick, tick, tick, I could do all of that. In previous jobs, even though I had experience, I wasn’t in a place I could recognise and highlight it.

Genuinely can’t think of any ways the placement could have been better for me. The only tricky thing has been the commute due to public transport. I have genuinely had one of the best experiences of my life at Reachout, it’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Thank you to the staff, you have been so supportive and brilliant.”

Rowan successfully went on to gain and sustain full time employment after her placement.