“I feel like I’m actually moving forward in life” – Daniel’s story

Daniel, who experiences paranoid schizophrenia, shares how our Coventry and Warwickshire IPS Service helped him to find a greater sense of purpose. He is now back in work and a part of his community.

Before accessing the service, I struggled a lot with boredom and feeling like I wasn’t doing anything meaningful with my days. I tried to keep fit by taking daily walks and I enjoyed reading, but most of the time I felt like I was just sitting around with no real direction. I knew I wanted to work but I didn’t really know where to start or how to go about it, which left me feeling stuck and a bit frustrated with myself.

I didn’t know how to create a proper CV (curriculum vitae), so in the past I relied on getting work through family or word of mouth. That often meant I wasn’t in stable jobs, and sometimes I wasn’t even properly paid for the work I did. It felt like I didn’t have the same opportunities as other people, and that made it harder to build any kind of career or routine. Because of stigma surrounding my condition, I felt like people were quick to discourage me or focus on what I couldn’t do rather than what I was capable of. That made me doubt myself.

From the very beginning, the IPS service was really welcoming and friendly. They didn’t make me feel judged for not knowing where to start. They sat down with me, helped me create a proper CV and showed me how to upload it to employment websites. That small step made a huge difference because it gave me confidence and made me feel more positive about the idea of finding work. It felt like I finally had the right tools in place.

The staff were incredibly friendly and approachable, which instantly put me at ease. Instead of feeling nervous, I actually felt excited at the thought of finding employment. It gave me a spark of motivation that I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

One moment that stood out was when I met the IPS team at the Job Centre. They gave me a more positive outlook straight away and made me feel like work was possible for me. Another big moment was when my Employment Specialist came with me to an interview. Just having them there made me feel supported and less anxious, and it even showed my employer that I was committed. That extra bit of support made all the difference.

With their help in finding a Disability Confident employer, I feel much more supported in my role at work. My employer understands me better, and I feel accepted rather than judged. The staff at IPS have been supportive all the way through, and that has helped me believe in myself again.

My life has massively improved since receiving support from the service. I feel like I have a sense of purpose now. Having work keeps me occupied, which has been really good for my mental health. I also have the chance to meet new people and make connections, which I enjoy. On top of that, earning a bit of extra money has given me more independence and boosted my confidence. I’m not just sitting around anymore. I feel like I’m actually moving forward in life.