Starting or returning to work?

The information on this page can help you find support with redundancy, mental health at work, looking for work, and gaining new skills and qualifications.

Preparing for and finding employment

• Job centre plus- Support with finding employment and accessing benefits

• Support into employment with Better Working Futures

• Government advice and support on moving from benefits to work

• Way2work: Apprenticeship provider (16 to 24 year olds)

Working Well Trust help people affected by mental health issues, homelessness, substance misuse, autism (ASD) and learning difficulties to return to work.

Upskilling and reskilling

• Kingston Adult Education (KAE) offers a range of workshops and courses. Sign up to KAE's newsletter to find out what is available.

• Open University OpenLearn DWP - The Department for Work & Pensions has partnered with the Open University to offer free training tools designed to help people find a job, advance their career or grow their business.

• The National Careers Service - We provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. Career tools to help you with your choices on careers, training and work. Whatever your situation, there's something to help.

• Prince’s Trust (18 to 30 year olds) - Helping young people into work, including live chat function with youth support team as part of Coronavirus Support Hub

• Learn a new language online or get support to improve your English with Learn English at Home.

Anxiety about going back to work

• Balance Mental Health Employment Service: provides employment support to individuals with a mental health condition

• Access to Work Mental Health Support Service: support and advocacy for anyone experience mental health difficulties at work

• Every Mind Matters: create a Mind Plan to help you improve your sleep and reduce stress and anxiety

• Good Thinking: Tools and apps to help reduce stress, boost your mood and improve sleep

Redundancy rights

• Citizens Advice Kingston offer employment advice and support to understand your rights at work; including when work comes to an end, time off work, and around childcare.

• Government advice for your right around redundancy

Other useful links

Financial abuse is when someone might stop you from having control over your money as a way of trying to exert power over you. This is a crime. Find out more about protecting yourself against financial abuse.

If you don’t have any savings and are facing an emergency cash shortfall, borrowing may feel like your only option. Take care when considering borrowing money, and read these borrowing basics from the Money Advice Service.

Financial difficulties can cause a lot of stress. If you are feeling anxious or worried, make sure to take steps to look after your mental health. We’ve gathered some useful mental health resources that may help.

• New to benefits?