From Jobcentre to Two Jobs: Chay’s WE Work Story
August 3, 2026
Chay heard about WE Work at his local Jobcentre and decided to join the programme. Before joining WE Work, Chay felt anxious about finding a job. He also found social situations difficult.
He says:
“Before I started the programme, I was extremely anxious about finding jobs. I had unrealistic expectations of what kind of work I was capable of. Social interactions were also difficult.”
Over time, Chay became more confident. He looked at different jobs and applied for roles that suited him. He also pushed himself to try new things. One of the biggest changes for Chay was learning to trust himself and feel more confident talking to other people.
“The most important thing that I discovered on programme was that I should trust myself more. When I first started I was in my head a lot and didn’t want to interact with people. Handing out CV’s is an example of pushing myself to do something that was really scary in the beginning, but by the end of the day I was comfortable about asking for job vacancies.”
Two Jobs!
While on the programme, Chay secured two jobs. His first job was a temporary Christmas role in retail. This gave him valuable work experience and helped him continue building his confidence.
Chay has now secured a permanent position as a Store Colleague with Co-op Food. He says:
“I feel like I have improved as a person and I’m more capable of interacting with people and can show my true personality instead of hiding 24-7.”
Having a permanent job means Chay can now plan for the future. He is planning to start driving lessons because he will have a steady income from his new job.
Advice from Chay
“Don’t be afraid to open yourself to new opportunities even if you think you won’t fit. Navigators on this programme will help you find what you want with zero judgement and as much support as they can offer.”
