Feeling supported at a difficult time

Richard* had experienced a serious road accident during his shift as a delivery driver and didn’t get the support he needed from his employer to navigate his way back to working again.  His NHS Talking Therapies counsellor referred him to Twining Enterprise, and he was paired with Lakhvinder, his dedicated Employment Advisor.  Richard really felt the huge support he got from Lakhvinder and his counsellor, which helped to make him feel less alone. Here he tells us his story in his own words…

I am a delivery driver and had a really bad accident when I was on shift coming back from the M25. I suffered PTSD from this incident, and I felt very different at work to how I used to feel before; this made me develop anxiety. I felt that I was on my own and that work was not being supportive and not dealing with the incident as it needed to be done.

Work was trying to bully me to medically retire and were only concerned about their business needs rather than me as an individual. This then made me feel very confused and unheard. I knew that I deserved better and that I needed some changes at work for me to recover and feel better.

I was recommended to Twining by my therapist and I got a call from Lakhvinder to discuss my situation. I felt that the support I got with Lakhvinder and my counsellor was a huge positive step for me as I was able to have someone else involved and I felt less alone. This made me feel heard and understood. I had many feelings of being upset, lost and confused, and in doubt with what would happen with the situation at work. I felt confident in the advice and reassurance from Lakhvinder as she was very understanding to what I was going through. I was not receiving this support at work, so it was nice to have someone like her on my side.

I was still attending meetings at work as I wanted them to take accountability for the additional stress they had caused me by denying my reasonable adjustment request. Lakhvinder would reach out to see how things were with me and if I needed any additional support which made me feel very supported. I had also got in touch with the union member to make sure my thoughts and feelings were heard and taken seriously by the company.

Lakhvinder had helped me with writing the reasonable adjustment letter and the feedback from the union member was that this letter was very well written and professional, as it expressed my thoughts and the changes I needed, to make me feel better at work. She was very encouraging in our meetings, and it was such a big help throughout the few months we worked together.

Due to continuous support from Lakhvinder and my counsellor I finally got the result of my reasonable adjustment being accepted by my company. I feel much happier, and both my counsellor and Lakhvinder have picked up on the change in my mood as I now know that I can finally get back to a normal life.

It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders as it was causing unnecessary stress and anxiety having to deal with my company not being supportive of my circumstances. I finally have a better work life balance, and it now gives me the time and energy to focus on bettering my own mental and physical health.

*Name and picture fictitious to protect client anonymity