Some people might say you're too direct and to the point. What would you say to that?
I would say to those people if you are in a situation that you want to change what's the point of calling me in to say, 'oh well, never mind, it'll get better'. People want solutions. People want concrete evidence there is a way forward. If I'm there giving it the soft sell that's not going to work.
Sometimes when you are in something you can't see why it's going wrong or where it's going wrong and you need someone to come in and see things who's not emotionally involved.
If people want to say I'm too direct then yeah, maybe I am but this is about helping people move forward and if directness is what it takes then that surely is the right thing to do.
But I also can show compassion when I need to. And I feel for people. Blended with directness is also these other skills. So I think it's tempered.
What's the main obstacle for people who have been unemployed for a while finding work?
The only common denominator you find in unemployed people is the lack of confidence and self-esteem. They just haven't got that belief in themselves. And they don't try to go and find that within.
But on a broad spectrum it's lots of different issues. You know if you've not had someone in your life as a role model or a mentor to tell you you're good, or clever, or beautiful then you don't ever believe that within yourself and that stops you from going forward because you feel like you haven't got that beauty, that capability, that knowledge.
But everybody has. Everyone's got some skill or something within them that they can offer and contribute to society. It's just trying to find it.
What are your thoughts on the current benefits system/government initiatives?
My thoughts are that the system gives people a liveable amount of money - not a vast amount of money - but for general living, it gives people an amount they can manage on and survive on. So if you can manage and survive, why are you going to go out there and panic to find a job? You're not going to.
Whereas if it could be made where you barely could survive and you had to scrape through - as horrible as it is for anyone to have to find themselves in that position - that may be the kick that some people need to think, you know what I really have to get a grip on myself and tackle this situation.
It's so complex, there isn't an answer, there isn't a solution, there never will be. The system is put in place to help people in a situation where they need help. I'm proud that this country has this system because some don't.
But that system is there really not to be relied on but to be given in an emergency. To help. It isn't something that is in place to live on and unfortunately the amount that people are paid is just liveable.
Is work all about the money?
The fundamental thing about work is not just the financial reward but everything else you get from it too. A sense of pride and that you're someone who is contributing to society, that what you do is valuable, no matter how small.
What would be your top tips for people in the same position as the people in the programme?
Number one - be realistic. Know what you're capabilities are. Don't go into something that is way beyond what you know you can achieve at this moment in time. Because that will only lead you to have feelings of failure because you can't achieve it. If you go into something small, no matter how small, and you achieve it, you have that sense of self-worth and pride. You've done it. It's a starting block.
I would also say marketability. Market yourself the right way. You cannot expect to be even considered for a job if you're not walking in looking clean, presentable, head held high, good demeanour, good strong handshake. No one is going to take you seriously. Being employed is serious. That company is investing money in you. Do they want to invest it in someone who just looks they've rolled out of bed? No they don't.
Also, put yourself out there. You can't wait for the job to come to you. What's wrong with you getting out there and finding that job for yourself? In life, nothing comes to you, you have to go out and find it.
There's stuff like honesty - always being honest and saying how you feel about something and not trying to mislead an employer, saying that you can do something that you can't do. Little things like that. But they're the three main things.
Tell us something about yourself that people may not know?
I'm an absolute music freak. I've been to Download this year. I love festivals. I love getting down there and grungy with my wellies on, rocking away to the music.
People would look at me and never think that about me, they would never think I love bands like Slipknot. They would probably look at me and think I'm a Westlife girl and I'm totally not, I'm not like that at all.
I'm a handbag freak too. I'm obsessed with handbags.
