After 12 years of unemployment, Kynie connected with Campbell Page IPS in South Australia, to help her find a job while also keeping her mental health in check.
The road towards training and employment has not been an easy one for Kynie. She has experienced mental health issues that have made it difficult to not just find a job but maintain it. So when she teamed up with Campbell Page, she was excited but slightly hesitant to get her hopes up.
The first 12 months with Campbell Page saw Kynie overcome numerous barriers and uncover skills and attributes she never realised made her an ideal candidate for different roles. However, for a six-week period, she disconnected and was relatively unreachable.
Eventually, I got on to Kynie and let her know that we cared about her and that she could come back at anytime with no questions asked. – Dorothy Pitcher, IPS Specialist.
Dorothy’s persistence with Kynie paid off, as she returned to Campbell Page to continue to build her skillset and find a job she enjoyed. At this point, Kynie revealed that she had a special interest in working within the community sector. Almost immediately, Dorothy sprung into action, and together with Kynie, she secured a spot in a Community Services Introduction Program with the local community house, Para Hills Community Centre.
I told Dot that I wanted to work in the community sector and would love to become a Mental Health Mentor one day and she was so quick to help me reach my goals. – Kynie
After completing the program, Kynie was beginning to feel confident in herself and as if she now had a good foundation of knowledge. She voiced to Dorothy that she would now like to further her skills and training by completing her Certificate IV in Individual Support at Enhance Training and Recruitment.
Fast forward to present time, and Kynie is in the last week of her placement and has been offered paid employment at SA Care. Congratulations Kynie, it appears all of your hard work has paid off!
Kynie firmly believes that the support and guidance she has been given from Campbell Page through the IPS Program is what has helped her find her way and keep her mental health on track.
The IPS Program enabled me to work at my own pace and ensure that my mental health was in check. My puppies have also helped keep me grounded and my mental health well rounded. – Kynie
Kynie will continue to receive support from Campbell Page while she commences the first six months of her employment with SA Care.
Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives. If you or someone you know struggles with their mental health, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website for more information.
IPS stands for Individual Placement Support and is a program that Campbell Page supports through our Disability Employment Services. To find out more about our DES services, please click here or contact your local Campbell Page Hub directly.
Words by: Tiarne Pattison
