I am Jon Stock and approximately seven years ago I started to work for Signpost in Jaywick trying to help unemployed people get back into work. I used to write CV’s for them, assisting them to apply for jobs which were advertised through one of the online job sites. I also taught many people how to use the in house computer system so that they could search and apply for position they thought they were suitable for. During this time I also took a tutoring qualification so that I was able to teach people many different skills so they could obtain a certified qualification to put onto their CV’s this could range from basic skills such entry level Volunteering to Level 3 Excel, In May 2022 I become eligible to retire from work due to my age, I continued to work for signpost as I was enjoying helping people and the local community.

In February 2023 I contracted SEPIS which nearly cost me my life, spending 5 days in an induced coma so the surgeons at Colchester Hospital could save not only my life but my arm as well, I spent a total of 13 weeks in hospital during which time I was given some physio and lots of psychological help. After about eight/nine weeks I was transferred to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford where I had skin grafts on my left forearm, after coming out of hospital I took many months to recuperate and was getting very depressed thinking about what had happened and how I had nearly died, I was invited to apply for a position at Essex Pedal Power in Jaywick by Rosie/Kerry who both knew me from my Signpost days.

I started to working at the Essex Pedal Power Jaywick Office at the beginning of January 2024 as a Project Support Officer (18 Hours a week) assisting the other administration officer with the paperwork and administration for the bike giveaways and all the other office tasks, so far it has been a sharp learning curve but I am enjoying being useful again and making a difference to people’s lives, I would recommend to anyone who has got to retirement age or had to give up work due to an injury to take a part time job to keep their minds and bodies active.