I’ve found that whilst working at the charity my confidence has noticeably improved, especially after covid. I'm able to interact with many people of varying ages and love running the shop whilst there! Everyone who works there are always so welcoming and friendly. The charity has done so much for me, I don’t know what I would have been like without experiencing working in the shop!

I love working at Fresh Start, it has really changed my life for the better and has really helped with my anxiety. Before working at Fresh Start my anxiety was at its worst but now it has lowered my anxiety a tone and everyone that works there has really made me feel welcome, and as we all say we are like one big family.

Since working at Fresh Start I’ve become more confident by the day. A year ago I would’ve barely left my house and was almost sure that, that was how my life was going to be for the for the foreseeable future for me. I’ve gained people skills and now have the confidence to spark conversation with just about anyone - the customers that come in on a regular are absolute diamonds and I value each and every one of them. I’m thankful for these new beginnings and can’t wait to expand my skills further.

Working for fresh start has been one of the highlights of my life, tbh it’s changed me as a person. I went from staying in the house for a year to going out and having more confidence in myself and made me feel like I’m worth something again! Gone from a quiet young lady who cried every day to a happy non stop laughing and crazy woman 😂 who fits in with the rest of them! No I’m kidding they have all helped me get though stuff I couldn’t get though alone! My Journey with Fresh Start gets better every day by learning new things!

I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and epilepsy when I was in primary school, which had a huge impact on my school years. I struggled with all academic work and that also had affected my confidence. I went to college for a year after school but found that a real struggle too. Luckily Angela Gregg offered me a job with Fresh Start and I have been working there for a year and half now and I love it. Each day brings something different, and I enjoy feeling part of a team. My confidence has grown so much, and I don't feel like I can't do things anymore, as I am encouraged to do new things each day. The support from the team here is exactly what I needed.

I really enjoy being at Fresh start because it’s made me a lot more confident. I used to be really anxious about speaking to people and going out but now I feel like I’ve come out of my shell a lot more and everyone is really nice and makes you always feel welcome.

Since working at fresh start and coffee I have gained a whole new level of confidence when it comes to my work and interactions with people. I enjoy coming to work to keep myself going and push myself to succeed. I have gained a whole work family who have supported me from the very start which I am so grateful for and couldn’t thank them all enough💚

Hey there. My name is Alex. I'm doing a traineeship to see what working in the workplace is like. I've been enjoying doing the deliveries as I prefer being out on the roads. I work with a great team who are all very supportive of each other too. It's also been a real eye opening to see how people treat people who work in retail.

I have been working in various jobs since I was 13 helping at a children’s cookery school and this has given me skills that I’m using at Fresh Start Charity. I’ve struggled with anxiety and was quite shy but being given the responsibility to oversee operations at FSC at just 18, I’m now much more confident and this has brought me out of my comfort zone. It’s a great team who understand my role and despite being a similar age as my colleagues, they respect me for the role I’m learning.

Since working at fresh start I’ve had opportunities to work with some great people, everyone is welcoming and creates an enjoyable atmosphere in the shop. It has allowed me to interact with customers and try new things.

My name is Joe, I am 17 years old. I started at Fresh Start Charity in October 2022, but had to leave to go to America. I missed working at Fresh Start so much that I came back and I am currently volunteering! The charity and the people have really helped with my confidence and I love working here.

Hey my name is Joseph and I've been working at Fresh Start for about a few weeks now. It's been an amazing start for me because I've been helping Roy getting some furniture off the van and I've been helping him and Aaron deliver furniture to peoples' houses, I was really excited to deliver. It's helped me a lot because I've had a lot of confidence to be a bit more sociable, the people who I work with are Amy, Roy, Aaron, Joe, Thomas, Ellie and Jessica - they all very lovely to work with and they are like my family x.

I joined Fresh Start in October 2022 recommended by Qube whilst on their traineeship. Since joining the team I have grown in confidence, so much so I am able to talk to customers and other members of staff and it’s a lot of fun. Before joining Fresh Start I felt my life didn’t have much purpose and I was depressed. Now I feel I have something to focus on, working in different areas of the charity & I want to be a Chef so I’m learning how to cook & serve customers and I’m really enjoying myself. If it wasn’t for Fresh Start I’d still be at home doing nothing.

Working here at Fresh Start Charity has made me realize how things can change in a small amount of time , you must expect the unexpected, which is something I love, as something new will come everyday

I love the Fresh Start charity because it’s a very welcoming group of people who are always happy to help and I couldn’t have a bad word to say about any of them. The past few months of me being there has really helped me come out of my shell and to be more productive with my time

I enjoy working at Fresh Start Charity, I like working and keeping busy, it has helped me a lot with my confidence and I love speaking to customers.

Ive been volunteering through WST Training since the beginning of the year and I asked to do my traineeship with Fresh Start as I was made to feel so welcome. I love working in the cafe serving the customers and being on the till. I can make all the drinks and I especially like making milkshakes. I enjoy doing anything to help out. Everyone is really friendly and I’ve learnt a lot.

Two months ago I walked into the Ipswich shop and asked if there was any work available. I’m 14 and I was really happy to be offered a Saturday job which included more hours during the school holidays. So far I’ve learnt to be a Barista, I also watch the shop floor and I know what needs doing. I like working as part of a team and contributing any ideas that I think my work. Recently I helped Roy put wardrobes together and they immediately sold, so I was really chuffed to bits! I love working with all the staff and assisting our customers. Working at Fresh Start has helped me to get to know many different people. It also teaches me a lot of life skills such as communication needed for retail as well as working in the café making drinks.

Since working at Fresh Start I have learnt skills such as working shop floor and being a barista (and I'm only 14!) After only a month of working at FSC , I have gained a lot more confidence. Everyone I work with is absolutely lovely and I couldn't think of a better place to work.

I started working in the Kersey shop and enjoyed sorting donations knowing that we're putting items people don't want to good use instead of letting them end up in landfill. I now work in Ipswich I enjoy being a Barista and working with people my own age. I’ve learnt more skills such as conversing with customers and I’ve grown in confidence.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed working here at Fresh Start Charity is the connection we have have with our customers. Showing care and proving that a smile can change anyone’s day. I’ve learnt and each day learning new skills at work. That being in the cafe or on shop floor, improving each day and making me happy to work harder with colleagues and make our customers happy with the services we provide here at Fresh Start.

I am really enjoying working at Fresh Start. It’s taught me many skills I can use further on in my future, such as customer service, barista skills and manual handling. My self confidence has improved massively as I feel a part of a team while at work. This has been an amazing opportunity for me and I’m thankful for the support given.

When I first started I felt like a nervous wreck, unsure what my future would be like. But Fresh Start have taught me a lot and I’m still learning. I’m staying longer than I’ve done in ages and now I’m even working an extra day. Is it because I feel accepted, supported and not judged by anyone that I’m learning more? I’ve grown like a flower, always eager to grow and learn.

When I first joined Fresh Start, I was very nervous and shy and I didn't speak a lot, but since I've been working there I've gained so much confidence. Before I started there was no part of me that ever thought I'd be able to work full days in an actual job, but Fresh Start eased me in and now I'm doing full days on every shift that I have, I now don't feel as nervous when talking to customers and have really learnt to open up to people.

I completed my Princes Trust work experience at Fresh Start and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed working with everyone and got my Barista training certificate - I learnt so much in a short time.

I started with Fresh Start at the age of 14 as a volunteer. I really enjoy the work because it's different. I work on a Saturday and during school holidays and I've made new friends and I like how all the staff are friendly.

Since being at Fresh Start Charity I have learnt a lot and it’s made my confidence better. I have met some nice and caring people that are also going there the same as I am. Even though I have struggled a lot with my mental health, since I have been there I feel like I can talk about my mental health, as before I never used to open up to anyone about my problems because I would be too scared to let it out as I thought that anyone I used to talk to would judge me. I think it’s made me a different person and made me stronger as a person.

Before joining Fresh Start I was a very shy and anxious person, but since joining I feel I've become a much more confident young girl. I enjoy working here because I've made lots of friends and have developed my communication skills and I am really enjoying working there.

Before I started working at Fresh Start Charity my anxiety was horrible. I couldn’t socialise with anyone but ever since working at FSC I have seen a complete change in myself, I can confidently have a conversation with anyone. Before I could barely leave my house but now getting into a routine of always getting there and always having something to do has helped me so much, but also always feeling so welcome by everyone there has been nothing but lovely.

Since Joining Fresh Start I have learnt not only practical skills such as Manual Handling but psychological and developmental skills such as learning to deal with difficult situations. I'm enjoying my time at the charity, working to make the world brighter even if it is one small bit at a time. I think the most important thing I have learnt is not to judge; everyone you meet deals with something different. - no matter what. Those in mentorship positions have taught all of us that we should treat everyone the same, and that's the one thing I've really come to learn and appreciate.

Since working at Fresh Start I have learnt so many new things and gained tons of confidence. Words cannot describe how nice everyone is and how well we all get on and I'm so grateful to be surrounded by such beautiful people. I love working here.

When I first joined Fresh Start my confidence wasn't the best and I was finding it difficult to talk to and serve customers. My anxiety was really bad and I would always avoid talking to people in general. But as time has gone on I was able to connect with everyone that works there and my confidence has grown so much. The Charity has really helped me become more confident and comfortable within the work place and I've learnt so much. I will be forever grateful to those who helped me at Fresh Start become the person I am today.

I joined Fresh Start in August 2024 having 3 years' previous experience volunteering for a rival charity shop. I found it really easy to settle in due to the friendly atmosphere. Working at Fresh Start has helped me to have a constant work life for the first time ever and has also helped me to socialise with people my own age which I hadn’t done since covid.

I'm 23 years old and I have been coming and volunteering with Fresh Start for a few weeks. Before coming to Fresh Start I found myself in a rut, spending all my time shut away in my room doing nothing. Now I look forward to coming in to work, I have made new friends and my confidence has sky rocketed. My life has certainly changed for the better and I can't wait to see what the future will bring.

I’ve been a part of the Fresh Start team for 2 months now. Since joining I have learned so much about so many things, with the most important aspect being my barista skills. After being here I feel so much more confident as a barista and with serving customers. I love the work environment here as I get along with everyone really well and it’s mostly due to them being in the same age range which allows for a very easy connection.

Fresh Start has helped me so much with my self confidence and making friends. This also gave me confidence in attending work experience which I found difficult before.

Working at Fresh Start has been wonderful, and working with lovely caring people has definitely helped me improve my self confidence and ability to talk to people. Being at Fresh Start has brought out my potential to go on to better things, I definitely fit in with the staff and enjoy working as part of a team.

Fresh start helped me as I was able to get my confidence up by talking to the customers that came in and by working with people that I knew were also in the same boat as me. Giving me a sense of I’m not alone in the moment and if I required help I could just ask someone around me without having to feel bad about it.

Hi my name is Carter and I love being at Fresh Start as it has made me more confident. I love working here because I have made so many friends while being here. Everyone has made me feel so welcome and I love how we all have a laugh with each other. Being at Fresh Start has helped me leave my room and talk to new people, something I hate doing. I want to thank everyone at Fresh Start for all the help they have gave me.

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