When Sally joined Jigsaw Canberra in October 2023, she was looking for part-time, flexible employment that could support her recovery from mental health challenges. She brought with her a long history of volunteering, but after years away from work, she lacked confidence in her own skills.
When she came across Jigsaw Australia, Sally realised it could be the perfect opportunity to help her rebuild the confidence she’d lost in the workplace, in a supportive environment.
Gaining new skills
Sally quickly embraced the structured training program, learning new skills in file management, scanning, quality control, and digitisation. She valued the 20 workplace capabilities taught in Academy – especially following instructions and teamwork – skills she now considers guiding principles in her own professional life.
Aside from the curriculum, Sally credits the people at Jigsaw for creating a collaborative environment, conducive to learning and growth.
“The trainers were resourceful and helpful, and the people were friendly. It was a good balance between the trainers and the trainees working together,” Sally recalls.
Exciting opportunities
One highlight of her time at Jigsaw was taking on the responsibility of social media ambassador – a role she found both exciting and empowering. It allowed her to contribute content about workplace inclusion and reconnect with the professional skills she had developed before her break from work.
This sparked a real drive in Sally to push towards mainstream employment, where she could continue utilising her skills in a fulfilling career.
With support from her trainers, Sally refined her resume, mapped out her career goals, and gained the confidence to pursue a new job. She successfully applied for a role at GROW, a community organisation providing peer-to-peer mental health support through a structured 12-step program.
Initially starting as a volunteer, Sally’s commitment and capabilities were quickly recognised, and she was offered a paid role as a program worker in the ACT and Queanbeyan region. In this position, she supports group sessions both online and face-to-face, drawing on her lived experience and interpersonal skills to help others struggling with their own mental health.
Although she’s still learning the ropes at GROW, Sally’s Jigsaw training has given her a strong foundation. While her current role doesn’t require digitisation, she knows these skills will be valuable for her long-term goal – securing a part-time government position with flexible arrangements. She has her sights set on a role with Services Australia and remains optimistic.
Advocating for workplace inclusion
Sally is also passionate about making workplaces more inclusive. After attending a Disability Inclusion Workshop with the Canberra Business Chamber, she champions the idea of “job carving” – designing roles around a person’s strengths and needs rather than trying to fit them into a pre-existing position.
Sally’s message to Australian businesses is that job carving doesn’t just improve inclusion, it’s also good for business. “If you take the time to understand a person’s needs and how they work, then match that with a suitable role, it can be both effective and efficient.”
Reflecting on her journey with Jigsaw, Sally is grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with her confidence, leading to her back to the mainstream workforce.
“I’m really grateful for the experience. Jigsaw helped me build my skills, regain confidence, and step into mainstream employment. It’s been a big part of my growth.”