Anita's Story
As a teenager, I was dedicated to music but any hopes of my having the musical career I was aiming for were destroyed when, at the age of 18, I had a breakdown whilst at music college.
Following the breakdown, my life for the next 25 years was littered with a long succession of largely unrewarding jobs. These included being a cook, running a post office and selling petrol.
Finally, after two redundancies in as many years, I was suspended and eventually dismissed from a medical receptionist/computer operator post because of my extreme agitation and anxiety. I began to despair of ever being able to support myself again.
When I was referred to QEST, it seemed like a lifeline. I knew I needed assessment, information and advice and welcomed this opportunity to get these things.
I completed a questionnaire and Morrisby Profile (psychometric test) which correctly highlighted important characteristics, such as creativity and self-reliance. Musical performance and teaching or instrument making were strongly indicated as potential careers for me, but as I had neither qualifications nor resources, there did not seem much hope of these dream jobs becoming a reality.
Whilst unemployed, I had taken up the violin again after 30 years, also learned the viola and joined some local groups. I wanted to take a diploma but could not obtain funding.
The turning point for me came when my employment adviser Gale encouraged me to make enquiries regarding instrumental teaching in schools, a service run by the county council, and this proved to be a breakthrough. A part-time string teacher was urgently needed and I found myself hired for about eight hours per week from May until the end of the school year. It was a bit tricky at first stepping into the shoes of someone so highly respected, but the children seemed to respond well to me.
I needed to complete an application pack retrospectively, which caused me some anxiety over explaining a bad medical history and a motley assortment of jobs. This all had to be repeated when I applied for the full-time post together with a resumè of my musical experience. It was very reassuring to have Gale's advice and help during the preparation. All my pupils passed their violin examinations and I was offered a position, on an almost full-time basis.
In the end, my past had not proved an insurmountable barrier, although I now intend to undertake more study towards relevant diplomas.
I cannot thank Gale and her colleagues enough for their kindness, support and encouragement, which gave me the confidence to obtain this work and to finally start rebuilding my life.