“Having this job meant I could afford to take my Mum and partner out to dinner for the first time in three years!”

We are delighted to have been able to help Knightstone Housing Association’s into Work Team assist resident, Ryan Edwards, in getting back to work. This forms part of our ongoing commitment to provide social value for our community through things such as work placements and training.

Ryan (pictured with Andy Williams, Gregor Heating Manager) said; “I used to be a Plumbing and Heating engineer but couldn’t continue to do that work after I was injured in 2007. Since then I’ve done some work for friends, as an administrator for a taxi company for example, and I’ve worked in a call centre, but I’ve been unemployed for the last three years.

“I applied for lots of different sorts of jobs during this time but I rarely had any replies and I didn’t get offered interviews. The whole experience was very frustrating.

“The role I’m doing is a Service Response Customer Service Advisor. I’m actually handling calls from Knightstone residents and booking appointments to repair their heating and hot water systems. I was able to help my neighbour the other day when they rang!

“I like helping other people and I enjoy solving problems. My colleagues are professional and are 
a good crew. They’ve been very supportive of me. And it’s made a massive difference to my life.”

Watch the video below to find out more about Ryan’s story and the work of Knightstone’s Into Work Team.