Ginny’s transition to fulfilling work

Before joining Thames Reach’s Southwark Works project, Ginny was in a difficult position. Stuck in a physically draining cleaning job during the pandemic and struggling financially, she knew she needed a change but wasn’t sure where to turn. 

“I was quite depressed and felt trapped in a job that was exhausting and poorly paid,” she recalls. Her turning point came when she discovered Thames Reach’s Southwark Works through a simple online search. Despite her initial scepticism, she decided to reach out, hoping for some support to move away from cleaning and into a role that she would find more fulfilling. 

Thames Reach’s Southwark Works is part of a wider service set up by the London Borough of Southwark. It aims to provide bespoke support for Southwark residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and who are seeking sustainable employment. 

When Ginny first met with the team at Thames Reach, her outlook was bleak. She was overwhelmed and uncertain about her future. “I was quite depressed, and I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do next. I just knew I needed to get out of the cleaning job,” she explains. Thames Reach assigned Rashid as her support worker, who provided the structured assistance she needed to navigate her career transition. 

Turning her passion into a career

Ginny had a keen interest in yoga, which she had been practising for 25 years, but was unsure how to leverage this passion into a sustainable career. “I wanted a job where I could work directly with people and also expand my yoga practice,” she says. Rashid and the team at Thames Reach helped Ginny refine her CV, navigate job platforms like Indeed, and prepare for interviews. 

The breakthrough came when Ginny applied for a yoga teaching position at a care home and received a positive response. “I was initially unsure about teaching yoga in a care home, but it turned out to be incredibly rewarding,” Ginny says.  

Ginny’s new role is not just a job; it’s a meaningful contribution to her community. Teaching yoga to people with varying needs, including those with dementia, has given her a renewed sense of purpose.  

The support from Thames Reach was crucial in helping Ginny achieve this transition. “I find it difficult to ask for help, and coming to Thames Reach was a big shift for me. It helped me overcome my resistance to seek help and made me realise that I could still learn and grow,” she reflects. 

Today, Ginny is not only free from the draining job she had previously but also thriving in a role that aligns with her passion and skills. “I’ve left cleaning behind and I’m excited about my future,” she says.  

Ginny’s story is a good example of how targeted support and resources can enable individuals to make meaningful career changes and improve their overall well-being.  

To learn more about Southwark Works and how it can help you or someone you know, visit Thames Reach Southwark Works.