Employment Support: Meet Morwenna, our Employment Advisor

We recently spoke to Morwenna, one of our Employment Advisors, about the expansion of our employment support offer within TALKWORKS. In our interview below, she opened up about what made her decide to join TALKWORKS and why she finds working for Devon Partnership NHS Trust so rewarding.

What is the employment support offering available through TALKWORKS?

There are two different types of employment support on offer through TALKWORKS. You can either receive job search support or help with job retention. Employment Advisors (EAs) primarily support with job search. We can support with writing CVs, cover letters and job applications, helping you to work out which job sector to work in, advising with interview techniques and doing mock interviews, signposting for support with benefits, exploring volunteering and training opportunities etc. Employment Support Coordinators on the other hand, support with job retention, helping you to return to work after being off sick and managing work-related stress. They can advise with ways to stay in work such as supporting members of staff with meeting with management/HR, attending employer meetings etc.

Why did you decide to join TALKWORKS as an Employment Advisor?

I decided to join TALKWORKS for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I used the service myself a few years ago and know how valuable the support from TALKWORKS is. Secondly, in my previous role as an Employment Advisor, I would signpost to TALKWORKS for some of my clients and they would frequently explain how beneficial the support given was for moving them towards getting back into the workplace. So, I wanted to be a part of this great service to give beneficial support to those who need it.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

As cliché or as obvious as it sounds, I most enjoy working with my clients. I enjoy working with them and supporting them to achieve their goal. What is also nice about this role is that every goal is different. It isn’t necessarily just about helping people to find work, it could also be about helping someone to start volunteering or supporting them with applying for a course.

Describe a rewarding experience you’ve had since working for TALKWORKS

Something that is really rewarding is when I am due to meet someone who is using TALKWORKS, and they cancel the meeting with me because they have now found work as a result of our employment support.

What advice would you give to someone who is nervous about reaching out for support from TALKWORKS?

The advice I would give to someone who is nervous about contacting TALKWORKS is that everyone I have met since working here are the most understanding people I have ever met. They will not judge you in the slightest. It takes 5 minutes to complete our self-referral form and the worst that could happen is nothing changes from your current situation. But the best that could happen is that you receive valuable support.

How can i access employment support?

Employment support is available for adults age 18+ living in Devon (outside Plymouth which is covered by Plymouth Options) who are receiving therapy from TALKWORKS. If you would like to refer yourself for support from TALKWORKS, you can do so by filling out our online self-referral form or by calling 0300 555 3444 (phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am – 4:45pm). As an NHS Talking Therapies service, all treatment and support available through TALKWORKS is completely confidential and available free of charge.