Bev F Bev has a back condition that restricts her movement. She was born with a port wine stain birthmark on her face. With Broker East's assistance she has set herself up as a life coach/mentor helping others with birthmarks/facial scars who have confidence issues. She is the adult contact for the UK birthmark support group www.birthmarksupportgroup.org.uk and has her own website www.loveyourmark.com

Christa P Christa suffered depression after being unemployed since having a car accident in 1992. As she was multi-lingual our Broker Consultant suggested she become a self employed language translator. She we assisted her with various courses including a course to help set up a website. We also obtained a computer for her under the Workability scheme. As Able-Multilingual she is now in business part time, building a client base and looking forward to a successful future. to be added as well.

Mr G contacted our call centre, when we phoned him he explained because of his illness he was unable to come into Norwich alone, we offered an appointment in North Walsham but that was not convenient he agreed to come to Norwich. At the interview he was very keen to work and we found a suitable job in a local village and arranged an interview for him, the following week he phoned to say he had started full time. We helped him with a benefit replacement to help him back to work, this paid his weekly rate of benefit until he first got paid, we can do this for a maximum of four weeks.

Mr C had been unemployed for over twenty years suffering from panic attacks. Broker East had numerous meetings to help rebuild his confidence. He started a job of 2 hours a week which gave him a great boost but this was term time only so he decided to look for something else that could fit in with this. We found a job in the local paper, which we rang straight away, and he had an interview on that Monday afternoon and started on the Wednesday. Broker East gave him a benefit replacement until his first payday. Mr C has subsequently been promoted to a supervisor and is working full time hours.

Miss C is the daughter of the above and came on the recommendation of her father. She was a former self-harmer she needed a career change and started a computer course at a local provider. After a few weeks she took a part time job at a local store which within three weeks became a full time position. Broker East assisted with a clothing allowance and benefit replacement.

Mr T was a social worker but could not take up full time employment because of his health issues. It was suggested that he could perhaps do part time work on a self-employed basis so that he could work around his health issues. We discussed the self-employment route and gave him advice as to setting up business on his own. He has just secured a contract with a University for mentoring and counselling a group of students for three months. This will hopefully lead to more contracts. He is so impressed at the service that he has agreed to be a guest speaker at a future presentation for Broker East.

Mr P - Had been out of work for about a year due to a back injury that occurred in his previous employment. With Broker East's support he obtained a forklift licence and very quickly secured employment as a forklift driver. Broker East's intervention fund was also used to buy work clothes and provide a benefit replacement.

Miss D had serious problems with her joints she had an idea to set up a pre-school children's activity centre on a part-time basis. The children would enrol for a session with an adult and the activities would be for example sand play water play painting etc. she also did a music session she decided to hold four sessions on one day a week as this is all she could manage with her health problems. She initially had forty-three children booked and when we last spoke to her she had one hundred and fifty children over two days and a waiting list. Broker East provided financial support to purchase special tables for the children to use.

Mr L - Had not worked since April 2001 due to a back injury and mental health problems. Broker East gave advice on working part-time/permitted work and updated customers CV. Has now started permitted work as a care support worker, Broker East's intervention fund was used to purchase vehicle tax and insurance to enable Mr L to use his car to travel to/from his clients homes.

Mr E - Was already undertaking permitted work when he registered with Broker East. He was advised on his options when the permitted work period was coming to an end and was able to secure full-time work with his existing employer. Broker East was able to provide Mr E with a benefit replacement to support him until his first full-time pay was received.