Help find Hana a job

Hi, I'm Desrie

I work as a part of the employment team at St Mungo's. It's my job to help people who have experienced homelessness to find a job. It's challenging work but I love it. Seeing people thriving who were once struggling. Well, there's really nothing quite like it. Want to give it a go?

I've put together this little challenge for you to find fictional person 'Hana' a job. Hana is inspired by real people that I've worked with over the years and is an accurate example of the sort of steps and hurdles that I have to creatively navigate in my role.

Hana is 20 years old and lived on the streets for a few years in her teens. She's currently living in one of the St Mungo's shelters and is wondering what's next - she'd like to find a job and be a bit more independent.

Do you think you could find Hana a suitable job?

Post-it notes and ID card of Desrie

Let's start with the basics

Hana has had a difficult start in life, and she's having some issues with her mental health. So we need to make sure that her needs and her preferences are at the heart of our approach. At St Mungo's we help to get people back into work using the 'Individualised Placement and Support' model. It's a model that's specifically designed to help people with mental health difficulties to find work.

Step one is to get to know her and her preferences. Let's ask Hana some questions. 


Click on the questions you're interested in to see Hana's answers.

Next
Coffee and paper clips

Hmmm. Those answers didn't provide much guidance for what job might suit Hana. But don't worry, we've got a few questions up our sleeve that might help. Let's try these:

Great, that's something to work with! What shall we do next?

Send Hana links to online job boards
Take Hana to a job fair
Suggest a 1 year gardening volunteer programme
Computer keyboard and glasses

Job boards

We've had a look through but all of the jobs on these job sites seem to either want applicants to have work experience, or they have really rigid application processes that I don't think will work for Hana.

Job boards can be a useful resource. But for the people I work with, who typically have specific mental health needs, I usually find it's usually most effective to get a bit more hands-on and build personal connections with employers. That way I can help them to understand strengths and needs of the person looking for work, to make sure it's a good fit.

For a successful placement, I'll work not just with the person looking for work, but also the employer, helping to find the middle ground where the employment works for both sides. We need to build a relationship with the employers too.

So let's try a personal touch and build some connections. Job fairs are a great opportunity to do this, and they often have a lot of entry level roles available.

Take Hana to a job fair
Weekly planner with job fair writing on it

Job fair

Job fairs are a great opportunity to find jobs for the people I work with and for me to make personal connection with employers. In my role I work with both the person looking for work and the employers to not only find the right role but also to smooth the transition into work and make sure that placements are a success. Building relationships with employers early on can make a big difference.

Job fairs are so helpful that when there isn't a suitable fair planned, I sometimes organise a small one of my own and invite loads of people along. Luckily this time there's a great one nearby. Let's pitch it to Hana...

Hana tells us that she has a big problem with crowds and so doesn't feel comfortable with a job fair event.

That's OK, let's head in and see who we can meet for her.

At the job fair you speak with a number of possible employers and find one that offers outdoor adventure activity camps for kids. Hana would love that.

What's next?

Grab a leaflet to show to Hana
Send Hana a link to the online application form
Find out what Hana needs to take the next step
Gardening tools

Gardening

Gardening is a great choice for many people at St Mungo's who are looking to find structure and community as they recover from living on the streets.

But it's not quite right for Hana who is looking to find work and independence away from the St Mungo services.

For people looking for work, we prioritise getting into paid work as quickly as possible.

This approach helps them to learn and adapt to the requirements of paid roles with us at their side to support them. They need to get used to things like dress codes, punctuality and processes around time off.

We use this approach as we know it works, and gives the people we work with the best chance of staying off the streets in the long run.

How should we find a suitable paid role for Hana?

Search online job boards and send Hana links
Take Hana to a job fair
Job leaflet

Job Leaflet

You take the leaflet away and show it to Hana when you next meet.

She thinks it looks great, but she's really nervous about the new environment. And what would her boss be like? What would she have to wear? What would her day look like?

You notice she starts shutting down as she swaps back to the short answers she used to give you. As her enthusiasm turns to dread.

Building confidence is a really big part of the job. How shall we help Hana to feel more calm and confident about this opportunity?

Show Hana pictures of the centre online
Tell Hana to just be brave
Call the Manager you met at the job fair to learn more
Crunched up papers and notebook with pen

Application form

We send the link to Hana and the next time we meet we ask how she's getting on.

She hasn't started on it. She starts shutting down as she swaps back to the one word answers she used to give. It's clear that she doesn't feel ready to apply just yet.

It's time to step back and consider Hana's needs. How is she feeling about the opportunity, and what are her concerns?

Let's ask a few more questions

  • How does this job sound to you?

    The center looks like fun. Water Sports aren't for me. The Forest Way Centre looks good though. I love forests, and working with kids. But I'm not sure if I can do it.

  • What are your concerns?

    I've never been anywhere like that before. What if I don't like it there? What are the people like? What will I need to wear?

It sounds like she's keen on the Forest Way job. How shall we help Hana to feel more calm and confident about it?

Show Hana pictures of the centre online
Tell Hana to just be brave
Call the Manager you met at the job fair to learn more
Heart-shaped cookies and notepad with pen

What do you need?

Great choice! Listening to the people we work with is at the heart of the job. Both the pace and type of approach we take is shaped by their unique needs and preferences.

We know that this job will be a big step for Hana. And she's struggled a lot with anxiety in the past.

Let's check in with Hana:

  • How does this job sound to you?

    The center looks like fun. Water Sports aren't for me. The Forest Way Centre looks good though. I love forests, and working with kids. But I'm not sure if I can do it.

  • What are your concerns?

    I've never been anywhere like that before. What if I don't like it there? What are the people like? What will I need to wear?

It sounds like she's keen on the Forest Way job. How shall we help Hana to feel more calm and confident about it?

Show Hana pictures of the centre online
Tell Hana to just be brave
Call the Manager you met at the job fair to learn more
Forest photos

Diving deeper

That's a great idea. Hana sees the pictures online and loves all of the trees and greenery, as well as the pictures of kids having fun.

She's definitely interested but she still has a lot of questions that the website can't answer.

Let's see if the Manager we met at the job fair can help

Call the Manager to learn more

Don't push

Unfortunately you can't just snap out of mental health issues. Hana's worry is very real. And if we push her to move forward without addressing it, she'll probably drop out of the programme.

It's so important that Hana herself sets the pace of the work here. It's her life and she's in charge. We're just here to help her in her journey.

So we need to help her to want to move forward by building her confidence that she could enjoy this job - and that she can do it well.

Let's call the Manager and see if we can sort something out.

Call the Manager you met at the job fair to learn more
Phone and stationary items

Call the centre Manager

We have a great chat with the hiring Manager for the activity centre job. We explain all of the great qualities that Hana has and convince him that it's worth the effort to get her on his team.

We also explain (with Hana's permission of course) that she's a little worried about the environment and the people.

Let's be bold and ask if Hana could come by for a visit to see the centre and meet the staff...

The Manager says he'd be happy to show her around and we set a date for the visit.

Hana jumps at the chance to visit the centre - seeing the environment and meeting the people will help her to understand what the job will be like and reduce her anxiety.

Both Hana and the employer are on board. Fantastic work! Next up, let's help Hana get ready for the trip.

Let's prepare for the visit
T-shirts and shopping bag

Let's shop

Hana hasn't had new clothes in years, and doesn't have anything suitable to meet her potential future employer and colleagues in.

As you take her around the shops she really comes out of her shell. She even tells you that you shouldn't wear stripes as apparently they're not flattering. Try not to take it personally, I'm sure you can pull them off! But what a difference to the person we met a few months ago who could barely get out a few words. It's incredible the difference something as simple as a new top can make. Next up - let's look at the paperwork



Writing a CV

If she decided to apply for the job Hana will need to give the Manager her CV, so she needs help putting one together.

Though she doesn't have very much formal work experience she does have lots of skills and great qualities which we can make sure are presented well. 



The travel

Next up, we'll need to book train tickets and see if someone from the centre can pick us up from the station.

OK, all set. Let's visit the potential employer

Visit the Forest Way Activity Centre with Hana
Gold confetti

What a day!

The visit is a huge success. Hana loves the centre and the Manager wants to offer her a job.

The first thing we do now? Celebrate!

For so many of the people we work with, we're the only ones in their corner. So it's important to take the time to celebrate the wins. This is so much more than a job, it's the chance to build her independence, confidence and experience. A chance to build a stable future - one where she hopefully never has to sleep on the street ever again. It's a really big deal.

I love this part. The people I work with have often described me as a cheerleader as I jump around excitedly to celebrate their successes. It might seem silly, but it does matter. To know that there's someone there rooting for you, and celebrating your wins. So let's take a moment to celebrate Hana's incredible achievement. Jump around with me! Wave your hands. Or, if you're on the train or the office right now, let's do this the digital way:

Celebrate
The next step
Flow step9 content

Settling in and ongoing support

Our support doesn't stop with Hana's employment contract. We'll check in with her on her first day and every few weeks after that to see how she's getting along.

We do the same with her employer too. We see how she's doing from their perspective and find out about any issues that may have come up. As we've already developed a good relationship with Hana, we're able to be really honest with her about things she needs to work on, such as being on time.

We'll also work with Hana to make sure she understands the rules and processes at the new role, for example what to do when she's unwell and can't work.

By being there for the people we work with even after they have accepted a role, we can help make sure that it works out for both sides.

In Hana's case her first season with the Centre went brilliantly, and they're going to be training her next year to take on a new exciting role.

The last step
Thank you card and badge

Thank you

Thanks for going through this experience with me. I hope you've learned a little bit about what it's like to be an Employment Specialist at St Mungo's. 

I love my job. It's so rewarding to see people come out of their shells, to build confidence and thrive. It brings a tear to my eye nearly every time.

Thanks so much for being a part of the St Mungo's community. 'Hana' may be fictional but every part of her story in inspired by real people. There are so many people just like Hana whose lives are forever changed thanks to your support.

Homelessness is so hard. For many people mental health issues are a cause of their homelessness, for others they are caused by it. In many cases it's a bit of both. By taking an approach to employment that takes the unique needs and preferences of the people we work with into account, we can find the right jobs for the right people and help them build stable futures which leave homelessness behind for good.

Would you consider making a donation to help support St Mungo's work? It could pay to take someone to a job fair, a new shirt for an interview, or staff time to provide ongoing support.

Donate today

Your choice regarding cookies on this site
We use cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. Analytics cookies collect anonymous information about your use of this site. Advertising cookies are used for the personalisation of ads. You can select your preferences and find more information below. Read more