Jeremy needed help to update his IT skills

Jeremy is a former unpaid carer who was supported to update his IT skills which helped him get a job as a care assistant.

About Jeremy

Jeremy is 69 and had been caring for his friend who had dementia for over 30 years. Sadly, his friend passed away in June 2020. They were both buskers and would go to Marble Arch regularly to perform.

Jeremy had been responsible for arranging his friend’s medication and hospital appointments, and acting as his advocate. His friend also needed support in using his wheelchair later in his life.

How did Working for Carers help?

Jeremy first heard about the Working for Carers project from his support worker at a South London Carers hub.

His Working for Carers employment support advisor was able to help Jeremy look for an IT course to update his skills as it had been a long time since he had used a computer. Working for Carers also helped Jeremy with funding to purchase an IT course online. This gave him the means to independently explore career options and complete his CV.

The advisor was also able to support Jeremy to access funding to purchase suitable clothing after he secured an interview with a care agency.

What was the result?

Jeremy was successful in getting the job as a local support care assistant. His confidence grew as a result.

While Jeremy was settling into his new job, his employment support advisor would call him to see how he was coping with his role and ask him if he needed any extra support. Jeremy was pleased with this further support.

Jeremy told his advisor that Working for Carers had helped boost his confidence, motivation, time management, job prospects and knowledge of his options. And without the support from Working for Carers he would not know where he would be right now.

Jeremy particularly appreciated all the support that his advisor gave him and recommend that it should be available to other unpaid carers in the Working for Carers programme so that they do not feel overwhelmed as they look for and enter paid work.

About Working for Carers

Working for Carers ran between October 2016 and June 2023 and was funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund. The project supported unpaid carers in London to move into or closer to employment.