Matthew’s job at Burges Salmon

Matthew first heard about the WE Work for Everyone programme through his Work Coach at the Job Centre. At the time, he was looking for direction and support. He wanted help finding a job that matched his skills and gave him a sense of purpose.

When Matthew joined the programme, he was matched with Scott, an Employment Navigator. Scott saw that Matthew would be a strong candidate for a job with Burges Salmon, a well-known law firm in Bristol. He put Matthew forward for the role and supported him with improving his CV and preparing for interviews.

While waiting to hear back about the Burges Salmon job, Matthew applied for other roles. He kept meeting with Scott to review what was going well and where improvements could be made. He worked hard and stayed focused.

Matthew was offered a six-month fixed-term placement with Burges Salmon. He made a great impression. After the placement ended, the company offered him a permanent job as a Digital Learning Administrator with more hours. He is now doing well financially and is a respected member of the team.

Matthew has clear goals. He wants to keep building his skills and hopes to move into a full-time role at Burges Salmon in the future. If that takes time, he is open to working part-time somewhere else to gain more experience.

When asked what advice he would give others thinking about joining WE Work, Matthew said –

“WE Work is a good place to go when you need structure and direction. There is no pressure for you to find a job until you find a fitting opportunity that suits your needs.”

He also encourages others to start by thinking about what they’re good at –

“Identify your skills first. If you’re not sure what job you want to do, use your skills to guide your search. If you know what job you want but it’s hard to get into that field, look for roles where you can build the skills you’ll need.”

Feedback from Matthew’s Line Manager – 

Kelly Wray, Matthew’s line manager at Burges Salmon, shared this feedback on 27th May 2025 –

“Matthew has integrated exceptionally well with the team. He has become confident in speaking up during team meetings and is comfortable in both virtual and in-person catch-ups. Matthew has actively participated in team events, socials, and away days. He quickly picks up tasks and tools, meets deadlines efficiently, and seeks further instructions when needed. Matthew has become a valuable asset to the team, leading to his permanent position and increased working hours. I look forward to continuing as Matthew’s line manager and witnessing his further development.”