Name
Lucy Hipwood
Old Position
Private company
New Career
Charity
What work were you doing previously?
I’d always worked for private companies in team lead, coordinating, and planning roles.
What are you doing now?
I work for a charitable organisation called Sova.
Our team specialises in working with people with offending backgrounds, helping them get back into education, training and employment.
I also volunteer for Sova as an Independent Visitor to children in the care system, and I’ve trained to become a volunteer panel member for the local Youth Offending Team.
When was the moment you decided to make the change?
With the growth of my organisation came more work, more responsibility, and yet more cutbacks on staff. There was never an offer of an increase in salary, or even just a pat on the back to say “Well done, you’re doing really well.”
When it was decided that the job role I’d been in for just under two years was no longer required, I was offered either an alternative position in the organisation or redundancy.
I left the job without looking back.
I’d never liked it, it just kept the roof over my head.
I was unhappy – constantly monitored, and always being pushed to do more.
How did you go about making the shift?
After leaving my job I was unemployed for seven months.
Unable to survive on Jobseeker’s Allowance alone, my parents supported me financially so I didn’t lose my own home and independence, which I’d worked so hard for.
I was applying for roles similar to the ones I’d always done – team lead, coordinating, planning – while also feeling like blowing my brains out. I knew in my heart it wasn’t what I wanted to do, but I had to find a way to pay the bills.
When I first started claiming JSA I had to attend ‘Job Club’ for four weeks (if you don’t attend, you don’t get your benefits). For a short period I had a great coach, who saw me for who I was and gave me a lot of her time. She helped me find a voluntary role to help keep my mind active.
I ended up volunteering for a charity that helps with supported housing for people who’ve just come out of prison. The charity saw potential in me after a couple of months; even though it was voluntary, they asked me to manage their highest risk property, which I felt happy to do.
Not long into this work I thought, “I’m good at this. Perhaps it’s something I could get paid to do.”
How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible?
As I’ve mentioned, my parents supported me while I was unemployed, and I claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance.
There was obviously a changeover period when I went from the Jobseeker’s Allowance to receiving work pay, and then I had to learn how to claim work expenses.
My new pay was actually better than I used to get in the old job.
What would you advise others to do in the same situation?
Take the plunge.
You’ll constantly question whether you’re doing the right thing, but if you prove yourself you’ll gain confidence on a daily basis.
