“I struggled with unemployment as I was used to getting up early and going to work. It sounds small, but that routine was a huge part of my life as it is for most people. Without my work, I didn’t have the same purpose and didn’t feel like I was contributing to the same extend as I was before.

“There were also financial challenges; I benefited from Universal Credit, but had to look to my savings to support my living. By the time I regained work, I’d been unemployed for 19 months.

“When I walked through the doors of The B2W group’s Restart office, I was expecting a job centre. It couldn’t have been further from that. The office was warm and welcoming  and a completely different atmosphere form what I was used to. Without sounding too cheesy – there was hope in that building.

“I was met with warm smiles and everyone there seemed genuinely happy to see me walk through the door. I felt like an individual and an equal and I felt like I was going to be heard. It was the first time I’d had hope for success during that 19 months of unemployment.

“It wasn’t long before a job opportunity arose within The B2W Group’s Restart team itself. I interviewed, received some very positive feedback and was offered the job. I was thrilled to join the team that had helped me put my career back on track.

“Now, I get to work in that same welcoming office with some fantastic people. I get to see other participants walk through the doors and experience the same feeling I had – they come out of their sessions buzzing and clearly hopeful for the future. 

“I feel part of the Restart team and the wider B2W family. I’m really proud of the work we do and I’m thrilled to wear the B2W” uniform.”

Geraldine was the winner of our Employee of the Month in June 2022, having only been with the business for six months. Her colleagues nominated her for our company value of “Continuous Improvement” and they described her as someone who has always been so helpful and has made a massive difference to the office and targets.