Martin Kelly, aged 48 from Perry Barr, Birmingham, had a successful career in the jewellery trade. Happily married with 2 children, he never imagined that homelessness would ever be an issue for him.
But then a tragic series of events changed all that. His marriage broke down, his sister attempted suicide and he lost both his parents within a few weeks of each other. Martin sank into depression and bad health and sadly lost his job and his home as a result.
After a long stuggle to find accommodation and work, he was finally referred to the Ready for Work programme by his Work Directions advisor. Understandably, he was sceptical at first but his first day on the Ready to Go training, the first stage of the Ready for Work programme, had a dramatic impact:
"After the first day I couldn't wait for the second day held at Wragge & Co...it brought all my confidence back and I'm really glad I turned up".
Following his Ready to Go training, Martin successfully passed an interview for a two-week work placement at AF Blakemore's Cash and Carry depot in Saltley. He was buddied up with two existing employees, Lori Amos and Naz Ali and placed on the Wines and Spirits counter, a lively department with lots of customer interaction.
Martin made such an impression during his placement that when a position arose, Depot Manager, Criag Sturman, knew where to turn:
"When a vacancy came up, Martin was the obvious choice".
With the one-to-one support of his job coach, Claire Tippler from Hammonds LLP, Martin is now feeling very positive about his future. He now has his own council flat and for the first time in ages, feels like he returning to his old self.
