How did you join MVAP?
I am from northern Iraq, and my background is completely different to what I do now. I am a scientist, and have done postgraduate studies at both Manchester and Salford Universities, as well as doing research and lecturing in various places around the world. In 2018, I suffered from a hand trauma and couldn’t continue in my field as I couldn’t work in the laboratory any more. It was very upsetting at first. I moved into community work, starting as an interpreter, and then became a sessional worker for a health and social care charity. I supported my colleagues by interpreting while they gave advice. Later the charity sent me for the MVAP training and I became involved in welfare advice with them, working part time.
How was the MVAP training?
I started the MVAP programme in September 2022. It was very interesting and engaging. It was full of discussion, hearing each other’s views and sharing information. The time went very quickly as it wasn’t boring. I did my practice at the health and social care charity, with support from my colleagues and line manager. I started with basic things like form filling, then with time I gained experience and did more complicated advice work seeing different issues. I also read a lot to learn, and attended any further Manchester Mind training.
What has happened since?
After the MVAP training, I felt very, very confident to give advice and looked for a full time job, which I got in February 2023 as the Welfare Advisor at a Manchester charity supporting older people. I see something like 80 people a month, and have gained a lot of personal grants for them. I am the only advisor, and if I am unsure about anything I still contact the Manchester Mind supervisor and they help me. I also keep myself informed through online courses. I have applied my MVAP learning and developed further.
I don’t just support one community, we support everyone. Many communities come, and I can talk to people in the languages I speak, including Kurdish and Arabic. I have strong networks with many communities and organisations through this work. Kurdish people in my community know that I am doing this role, so they will come to this organisation now to get support.
What next for you?
Sometimes I feel proud of myself that I made this big change from one field to another field, and that I have a full time job, and the whole organisation is now relying on my advice. I am ok for now in this role, as the environment is good and they give me the full confidence and power to do this job.