People Matter provides information, advice and guidance to job seekers. They offer one-to-one and small group sessions helping job seekers create action plans and improve their employability skills and become more economically independent.

With a recent grant from Sussex Community Foundation, they ran their jobseeker programme in Heathfield.

SC’s story

SC contacted People Matter for advice about updating her CV, having been a carer for her mother and then her stepmother for many years. She had been out of the workplace since 2016. She was nervous about seeking work and felt that her skills would be redundant.

Her confidence was low, and she felt that she had nothing to offer. She contacted People Matter and met with an adviser who suggested a skills plan and a careers assessment of her transferable skills, along with other services.

SC tells her story:

“We reviewed my CV which needed some developing and editing. Thanks to the skills health check I realised what my transferable skills were. But it was really when the Advisor created my new CV that I really saw the skills I had and that they were validated on the CV. This definitely helped raise my confidence.

I soon gained employment as a barista with a newly built local coffee business and since then my confidence has grown. Alongside that, I used my skills and have been promoted to supervisor just recently.

Coming to People Matter made a huge contribution to my newfound confidence and made me excited about looking for work and about the future. They were so helpful and made the most daunting task seem easier, with supportive and helpful discussions. I felt that I was able to engage with someone on my own level.

I am grateful that I was able to engage with such a helpful and supportive advisor at People Matter Trust. They made a difference to me and my self-confidence. I began to believe in myself and that has already brought me a job promotion and a brighter future, where I see myself moving forward.”

Find out more about People Matter Trust on their website.

The Reaching Potential report, the latest in the Sussex Uncovered series, highlights the challenges our county faces. It also emphasises the vital role local charities play in helping disadvantaged individuals reach their full potential.

Read the report Reaching Potential.