Emily’s Journey with Inspire & Thrive

When Emily joined Inspire & Thrive, she was unsure. She felt anxious about meeting new people, uncertain about what to expect, and wasn’t convinced the programme would be for her. She was honest about how she felt - and that openness set the foundation for us to focus first on simply getting to know each other and building trust. 

From there, there was no pressure and no expectations. Just space and time to talk, to explore ideas and possibilities. We focused on what mattered to Emily, while also sharing who we are and how we work. 

At U, we recognise that even acknowledging you want something more for your future can feel huge - and for many people, scary or overwhelming. Taking those first steps requires courage. That’s why we prioritise trust and a genuinely person-centred approach, ensuring the support offered is meaningful, practical, and makes a real difference. 

Emily is a mum to a primary school-aged child and had been out of work for a long time. She knew she had potential and wanted something more for herself, but she wasn’t sure what her next steps might look like, or when the time would feel right. 

Alongside short-term, practical goals, we also encourage people to gently explore what an ideal future could look like. There’s no pressure to have answers. That space to imagine often brings clarity, motivation, and belief in themselves - and helps keep that “something more” feeling alive. 

Emily shared that her dream job was to become a Learning Assistant, supporting children with additional support needs. At the time, this felt a long way off - likely a year or two down the line. At that stage, the focus was simply on moving at an easy pace, exploring options, and taking small, manageable steps forward. 

Our initial priorities were simple and practical: 

• Creating a CV (as Emily didn’t have one) 

• Exploring short, accredited qualifications to strengthen her CV and future job prospects 

• Researching volunteering opportunities as a key stepping stone 

We met regularly to check in, talk things through, and reflect on progress. Over time, Emily’s motivation, commitment, and quiet determination became clear. Her confidence grew steadily as she recognised she already had many of the qualities, strengths, and personal experience needed for a Learning Assistant role. 

Curiosity soon turned into action. As she explored roles, Emily recognised that her background, experience, and personal qualities meant she would be well suited to the role - but there were three specific qualifications employers required that she didn’t yet have. Because we work in a truly person-centred way, we were able to support her to access those specific qualifications through our Scottish Government accreditation fund, ensuring they aligned directly with her career interests and goals. 

Not long after, I received an email: 

“I can’t believe it… I’ve only gone and got myself an interview.” 

We were absolutely ecstatic for her. 

A couple of weeks later, she asked for a call. Her words have stayed with me ever since: 

“I’ve got the job!” 

She was over the moon, so excited! In just a few months, Emily stepped into her potential and went after what mattered to her. That growing confidence and belief led her not just into employment, but into a role that truly aligns with her values - somewhere she can make a real, positive difference in people’s lives. 

To be clear: this was all Emily. She chose to take control of her future and act. What we saw, and what she came to see, was just how capable she is, and how deserving she is of a role where she can truly thrive. 

Reflecting on her journey, Emily shared: 

“I have enjoyed my time with Nicola very much; I was a bit apprehensive at first as I don’t normally do well with new people. But Nicola has put me at ease and has helped me in more ways than I thought possible. I hope to carry all this on with me along my journey and into my future. I am more confident, positive about my future and feel I can get and be where I want to. I would not be feeling this without Nicola supporting me.” 

In practice, what we offered was simple: 

• Space away from the busyness of life to reflect and explore 

• Accountability to help people stay on track 

• Light coaching and sound boarding to build clarity 

• Employability support, including CV guidance 

• Access to tailored, accredited qualifications that align with individual goals and career interests 

  
  

Stories like Emily’s, where someone reconnects with their confidence and steps into their potential is why we love the work we do. It’s been a genuine privilege getting to know her, and we couldn’t be prouder.