Delivered across Northern Ireland by Action Mental Health, the SkillSET programme is for adults not currently in employment who are experiencing anxiety, stress, or mental ill-health. SkillSET helps individuals to shape their future by building confidence and developing new skills.
Illya, a client in our Belfast service, explains how the support he received changed his life for the better:
My name is Illya, I’m a Ukrainian refugee living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. For almost 2 years I had been struggling to find employment as my disability limits my options. Unfortunately, my work coach wasn’t of a great help either.
My mental health was suffering as well, I felt stressed out over the war, was lonely and depressed. Despite all this I tried my best to find a suitable employment but it felt that every effort I made was fruitless.
I sent dozens of applications each week, filled in countless forms, visited job fairs and spoke to employers there – but barely ever heard a reply. I knew my past work experience in Ukraine was not ideal: I had many different jobs in various sectors, my employment story didn’t really reflect my skills, my CV wasn’t great.
As this wasn’t really working, I found employment as a pizza delivery driver. I knew I couldn’t hold this position for long as my health condition deteriorated. I worked there for 6 months, working hard: 6 days a week, long hours, well into the night. But I had to quit as my health took a toll.
I started looking for possible courses, that could open doors for me. I applied for ICDL course as well as Employability course with Action Mental Health and it changed everything! As I received the ICDL certificate, I believe employers were more open to the idea of considering my application.
Then Sonia at Action Mental Health helped me with my CV and I’m convinced: whatever magic she did worked straight away! I started getting feedback from employers, though not immediately positive, but still – a result! I also went to a couple of interviews which were organised through Action Mental Health.
And then I applied for a marketing position with an accounting company called Baxterworld and I could tell – they were ready to hire me after just seeing my CV! They invited me for an interview more as a formality I think – and hired me the same day. It was exciting!
It was a big change in my routine, having to wake up early, go to work, learn to do new things at work, put my already existing skills to a good use. But the confidence I’ve built up thanks to support of Action Mental Health’s programme allowed me to successfully adjust, start and more importantly continue my employment. The support I received has been crucial in that.
Additionally, my new boss, Mr. Ray Baxter and the whole team at Baxterworld were equally supportive and kind. The adjustment of getting back into employment went smooth and much easier than I expected.
I’ve also met so many wonderful people at Action Mental Health! Sonia, Suzan, Nicola, Johnny, Mathew, Jenny and others I unfortunately don’t remember the names of (sorry!). As well as all the visitors to Action Mental Health. They’re all welcoming, supportive, non-judgmental, compassionate and kind people. I’m convinced they gave me confidence to keep trying, to keep applying and eventually finding an amazing company that hired me.
I’m happy to work as a trainee marketing assistant now. I feel much happier now, more confident, successful, fulfilled.
I asked my boss for permission to mention the name of the company and he kindly offered to add his feedback of my work (embarrassing!). Here’s what he had to say:
“We had the opportunity to employ Illya as a Trainee Marketing Assistant through the JobStart scheme, and he has been with us since early November. We are very pleased with his work. He has used his initiative to find ways to promote our business and attract new clients. As someone whose first language was Russian, we were surprised and delighted that his English is as good as any local speaker.”
Ray Baxter
Director, Baxterworld Ltd, Chartered Management Accountants
I’m very happy to work with an amazing and supportive team of Baxterworld. It’s been a very long time since I had a job I enjoyed and looked forward to.
I’m very fortunate to have found Action Mental Health and I wish I had done it sooner! They’re instrumental in changing people’s lives for the better!
From April 2026, Northern Ireland faces a severe and unnecessary funding cliff edge for voluntary and community sector-led services – including programmes like SkillSET. Please help us protect those most in need of our support.
