When Kai joined the Restart Scheme in March 2026, he was facing significant challenges. Issues with his benefits meant he was not receiving any income, leaving him in severe financial difficulty. At one stage, he was without electricity for an extended period and had very little food available, which affected his confidence and left him feeling isolated.
Despite these barriers, Kai remained focused on finding work. He attended the Serco Birmingham Restart Scheme office regularly, using the computers to search and apply for jobs while looking for ways to improve his skills and employment prospects.
With support from his Job Coach, Farhiya, and the wider Restart Scheme team, Kai received practical help to address some of the challenges he was facing. This included support contacting his electricity provider, accessing emergency food support, improving his CV and securing a laptop and dongle to help him continue his job search independently.
To strengthen his employability skills, Kai completed customer service training and took part in interview preparation sessions. When an opportunity arose for a Supervisor role with CleanTEC, sourced through Serco’s Employer Engagement team, he received tailored support to help him prepare for the interview, including guidance on interview techniques and assistance with suitable interview clothing.
Reflecting on his experience, Kai said:
“The Restart Scheme really brought me back to life. If I hadn’t come here, I could have lost hope. There was no support, no food and nobody to talk to. When I came here, everybody welcomed me and treated me like family. I was given opportunities, training and support to find work. Restart restored me back to normal life.”
Kai’s hard work and determination paid off when he successfully secured a Supervisor position with CleanTEC following his interview in July 2026.
The role provides the stability and independence he had been working towards, and he is now looking forward to starting the next chapter of his career. As he moves into employment, he will continue to receive in-work support through the Restart Scheme to help him settle into his new role and sustain his employment.
