I had been out of work for some time. I'd been in prison for three years prior and was on release under license, readjusting to life in the community and receiving treatment for an ongoing mental health condition of bipolar affective disorder.

I was living in a nursing home with 20 other psychiatric patients and my confidence was at a very low point.

It was whilst visiting a jobs fair at a local community centre that I found out about Cambridge Community Arts (CCA). I’ve always loved music, so I decided to take up the challenge of a Music Production Course with CCA that September.

During the last term, through CCA, I was introduced to Christine at Community Connections South/Next Steps. She approached the class to tell us how they could support us moving on.

When I graduated from the Music Production Course, I joined Next Steps to help with my chances of employment. Christine helped me work out what type of employment I wanted to move into. I wanted something where I could use my skills, work part time at first and meet people. I decided I wanted to be a Barista in a coffee shop.

Initially Christine guided me through the process of writing a CV and introduced me to searching for jobs online. Once it was explained to me how to apply for jobs online, and the different methods involved, I carried out my own job searches when I wasn’t at Next Steps meetings.

I made loads of applications, and had more meetings with Christine where we worked on my covering letters and CV. After a few months and a few rejections, I finally got an interview. Christine helped me practice some mock interview questions before the interview and I got the job as a Barista in a busy city centre coffee shop!

The job involves many different skills, which I am practicing all the time, raising my competency in customer services and being an efficient employee. I’ve learnt some complex drink concoctions over the months, completed my job training and now wanting to excel further in my role as Barista.

It has been a real pleasure working with Next Steps and Cambridge Community Arts. Their support and guidance have changed my outlook on life and social situation. I am feeling useful again after feeling quite wretched for many years.

Since being employed, I have better financial stability and working in a high-pressured environment is building my confidence and self-esteem. I would have hardly believed it possible, but I have now proved myself wrong.