I’m Clare and I first spoke to Richmond AID in January 2011. I was having a tough time at work and needed some support with my next step as I was leaving that job and didn’t know where to get help.
Looking for where to get help with benefits, my Mum found Richmond AID on the internet and gave them a ring. She spoke to Jamie, he was very helpful & understanding. I then rang Jamie and arranged to come in and see him to talk through my situation as I was being bullied at work and wanted to leave. It took about 5 months to sort out, Jamie set up appointments for me to go and see a specialist employment advisor at the CAB and came along to support me. We worked to set up a compromise agreement to use with my employer.
After finishing this employment I began attending Richmond AIDs weekly job club and continued to work with Jamie and the Richmond AID team – they are all so friendly and welcoming and I felt very supported. I hadn’t known that Richmond AID existed and I am so glad that I found them! I was even invited to attend their ‘Strategy Day’ last year so I could provide feedback on their services.
Through the job club I got my CV updated and improved, my confidence returned and soon I was applying for jobs and starting to get interviews. Jamie provided support and helped me prepare for these interviews. The employment project also supported me to get registered with a cleaning agency in Twickenham and I began doing a few jobs with them. One of my clients is an elderly gentleman who enjoys the company and we got thinking about how much I enjoy this side of the work. Richmond AID supported me to register with RUILS (Richmond Users Independent Living Services) as a Personal assistant, so I can interact with clients whilst also helping with household tasks. As a result of this, I recently became self-employed, starting my company; Clare’s Cleaning Company.
Working with Richmond AID has enabled me to get my confidence and self-belief back. They now seem like a second family, I know that I can rely on them to provide support with lots of different concerns. They have even promised to help me with my tax return!!!!!!!!!!!!