Every cloud has a silver lining!
When Yale announced the closure of their Castleside site earlier this year Margaret Keetsley of Consett who’d worked there for over 3 years was naturally unsettled. “I had been made redundant before and was really worried about being out of work” Margaret added “I knew it was time to change my career but I wasn’t sure what else I could do”
Derwentside Employment Team were invited in to help staff prepare for the inevitable task of looking for alternative employment, a scary prospect for some who had never completed an application form or had an interview before.
Margaret met with Maureen Dick a DET Advisor who discussed the Care Industry as an option and arranged an interview with a local employer for a position as a Carer. Margaret explained “I felt at ease talking to Maureen she was excellent, she gave me the moral support and reassurances I needed to apply for this kind of work”.
Margaret now works for Kelly Park Services and finds her new role extremely rewarding “I was nervous the first time I was left on my own but it just came naturally and I just really enjoy the rewards, particularly when someone’s face lights up because they are genuine pleased to see you”.