Case studies
Homeless
Wayne
In 1996, 36 year-old Wayne from Nottingham started using heroin and lost his job as a steel worker. He was to be unemployed for the next 10 years.
It was in 2005 that things started looking up for Wayne. Having managed to get off heroin, he started on the Ready for Work programme with the charity Business in the Community. Through this, he got onto the Marks & Start programme.
"I feel 100% better now – I’m enjoying life for the first time.” Wayne
Wayne’s placement started in May 2006 and saw him working in the food and menswear departments at our Nottingham store. His buddy was Jason, a previous Marks & Start participant now working full-time in the Food Store.
As a result of his placement, Wayne now has a permanent part-time job there too, which he aims gradually to increase to full-time.
“I had nothing to look forward to before,” says Wayne. “I didn’t think things could change, but I feel 100% better now – I’m enjoying life for the first time.”
Young unemployed
Jadiel
Jadiel, 23, left school at 16 with no qualifications. After spending time in prison, he felt there was little or no hope of getting work.
But after joining The Prince’s Trust Team programme for young unemployed people he got the chance of a two week Marks & Start placement at M&S Brent Cross.
Jadiel got on so well that at the end of his placement he was offered a full-time job in the store’s warehouse. He is now aiming to go to college to train as a plumber or electrician.
As he recently became a father and has a family to support, he plans to carry on working part-time for M&S while he trains. Says Jadiel, “I just want to push myself in life now – and go for it!”
Disabled
Christine
40 year-old Christine suffers from Myclonic Dystonia, the symptoms of which include involuntary movement in the arms and legs.
She had been unemployed for 20 years when she began a four week Marks & Start placement at our Stevenage store in July 2006. This went so well that she went straight on to become a part-time customer assistant. She hasn’t looked back since.
“It has been a hard journey, but every step has been extremely worthwhile and rewarding." Christine
“My buddy on the placement backed me all the way and it was great working in such a supportive, friendly team,” says Christine. “Before Marks & Start I’d given up looking for work as I felt no-one would employ me.
“It has been a hard journey, but every step has been extremely worthwhile and rewarding. Above all, it’s great to have a purpose and my confidence has soared.”
Lone parent
Michelle
Michelle, a single mum of four children, had been unemployed for nearly two years when she came to Marks & Start through the charity One Parent Families.
She began her two week placement in June 2006 at our Gyle store in Edinburgh, gaining experience in womenswear with the support of buddy Lisa. She now has a permanent job as a homeware customer assistant, working 11am to 3pm four days a week, plus a day every other weekend.
Michelle says, “M&S have encouraged me to talk with customers, supported me while learning new skills and really helped me come out of my shell.
“As a single mum there seemed to be so many barriers to working. But now I feel brilliant. I want to take my family on holiday next year and I’ll feel proud that I’ve worked to pay for it.”
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