From anxiety to confidence: Sharon’s story with our charity

At The Compliance People, we’re dedicated to supporting initiatives that transform lives.

In this month’s social value update, we share the story of Sharon, an 18-year-old who, after completing her A-Levels, found herself in Halifax, a town where she was a stranger.

Struggling with social anxiety and low self-confidence, Sharon found it difficult to make new friends and was hesitant to pursue job opportunities, even though she had a strong passion for working with animals. However, following a referral to our charities, Moving Forward Together (MFT) programme , Sharon’s live began to change.

Due to her anxiety, Sharon initially needed her father’s support to attend meetings. Recognising her challenges, Mansib Siam, Newground Together’s Employment and Skills Advisor, stepped in to facilitate the appointments. Understanding the importance of building Sharon’s confidence, they collaborated on creating a SMART action plan tailored to help her gain employment and overcome her social barriers. This plan marked the beginning of Sharon’s journey towards independence and self-assurance.

One of the first steps in Sharon’s journey was encouraging her to join gym sessions. This initiative aimed to push her out of her comfort zone, helping her to socialise and boost her self-esteem. This seemingly simple activity became a catalyst for Sharon’s transformation. Over time, as her confidence grew, Sharon reached a significant milestone—she began attending her appointments independently, a remarkable achievement given her initial struggles with social anxiety.

The gym sessions had a profound impact on Sharon. As she became more comfortable, she started to interact with other participants in the MFT programme, and her confidence steadily grew. Activities that once seemed daunting, like taking selfies and videos, became part of her routine, highlighting the significant strides she made in overcoming her social anxiety and embracing her newfound self-assurance.

With her growing confidence, Sharon and Mansib turned their focus to refining her CV, making it more attractive to potential employers. This effort quickly bore fruit, as Sharon received several interview invitations. Together, they worked diligently to prepare, practicing potential interview questions and answers to ensure Sharon felt confident in presenting her best self. This preparation was key to her feeling ready and capable of succeeding in the job market.

The hard work and dedication culminated in Shannon securing a role as an animal care assistant. This achievement was not just a job but a realisation of her dream to work with animals. Shannon was overjoyed and felt a real sense of achievement.

The support from the MFT programme extended well beyond just helping Shannon secure a job. She continued to flourish, having completed over six months in her new role and now aiming to build a lasting career in animal care. Her confidence grew significantly, and she stayed committed to her gym sessions, which continued to enhance her social skills and self-esteem.