When Chloe first joined the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) funded Restart Scheme, she had already been volunteering in IT, helping on farms, and working through a Level 2 qualification in Animal Care. Despite this hands-on experience and training, she struggled to make progress through conventional job support channels.

Previous support she had received before joining Restart felt rushed. She recalls being told a job was lined up for her, only for it never to materialise. What she needed was not more appointments, but the right kind of support.

Restart offered a different experience. Delivered by Palladium as a subcontractor to Fedcap in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the scheme provides tailored services for long-term unemployed individuals receiving Universal Credit. Since July 2021, Palladium has supported over 8,150 people through Restart, facilitating 4,567 job starts to date.

For Chloe, the difference was immediate. Her first Restart appointment lasted a full hour and her case manager, Helen, took the time to understand Chloe’s goals and anxieties, particularly around job interviews, which Chloe described as her biggest hurdle.

Together, they focused on confidence building, mock interview practice, and CV development. But the real turning point came during a two-week confidence and motivation workshop. The programme included a "reverse job fair," where participants created boards to showcase their skills and hosted visiting employers. The format gave Chloe a platform to present herself in a new light and connect with others in similar situations.

This experience helped Chloe realise she had more options than she previously imagined. She applied for university and was accepted to study Wildlife and Ecology. She also took on a customer-facing role at Halfords, building further confidence in her ability to communicate and support others.

Chloe’s journey highlights how tailored, person-centred support can make a lasting impact, not just in employment outcomes, but in renewed confidence and long-term goals.

The Restart team continues to work across the region, and the programme remains a key part of the DWP’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and job market integration.

While Chloe's words are her own, her experience speaks for thousands of others. With the right structure, the right support, and enough time, people can rediscover what's possible for them and change their careers and their lives.