Welcome 2 Work: Building Confidence, Friendships, and Futures

This month, we shine a spotlight on the brand-new Welcome 2 Work programme – an exciting initiative from Surrey Choices’ supported employment service that’s already transforming lives. Whether someone needs help finding a job with a disability, seeking advice for job success as a neurodivergent person, or simply wanting to build confidence for work, this programme is designed to make the journey positive and achievable.

We sat down with Emma Turner, who led the programme’s development, to hear how it all began, the impact it’s having, and what’s next. We also share the inspiring story of Yeukai, one of the programme’s first participants.

A Fresh Start: From Job Club to Welcome 2 Work

When Emma joined Surrey Choices, she inherited the Job Club sessions. While well-intentioned, they weren’t delivering the impact customers needed.

“The sessions had lost their way,” Emma explains. “It was getting difficult to engage customers and make them truly beneficial. I was tasked with revamping them — a last chance to make them work.”

Together with her colleague Jemma, Emma mapped out the key skills and knowledge customers needed for their employment journey. From that, Welcome 2 Work was born – a re-energised programme that blends practical tools, job preparation workshops, and a strong social element.

What Makes Welcome 2 Work Different

Unlike the old format, which focused mainly on job searching, Welcome 2 Work is designed to be interactive, fun, and confidence-building.

“We didn’t want it to feel like a classroom,” says Emma. “Instead, we wanted to create a relaxed atmosphere where customers could grow their confidence, make friends, and learn from one another.”

Customers not only gain employability skills – like CV writing and interview practice – but also develop communication, teamwork, and resilience along the way. This method of employment support has proven particularly beneficial for autistic people and those with ADHD and dyslexia.

Success Stories

One customer gained paid employment shortly after completing the sessions, crediting the programme with boosting his confidence when speaking with employers. Others found unexpected friendship and support — two customers even discovered a shared love of film and now regularly meet up outside of the sessions.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:

“The sessions were good, clear and practical.”

“Great sessions, everyone was very friendly and the workshops very informative.”

“I had a great time and made new friends.”

“I feel much more confident about interviews now.”

Yeukai’s Journey: Building Confidence and Connection

One participant, Yeukai, joined the Welcome 2 Work programme in Guildford with hopes of building her skills and confidence for the world of work. She embraced every activity, finding the sessions both practical and insightful.

For her, one of the biggest highlights was meeting new people and forming friendships. These connections helped her build teamwork and communication skills while making the experience fun and supportive.

Through the programme, Yeukai gained not just technical skills but also a deeper understanding of herself — her strengths, areas for growth, and how to apply these insights in real-life job opportunities.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the lessons,” she shared. “They’ve helped me feel more prepared and confident about the future.”

Thanks to the encouragement of the team, Yeukai now feels more resilient, empowered, and optimistic about her next steps.

Expanding Impact

Emma and the team are already thinking about how to grow and enhance Welcome 2 Work.

“We know there will always be core topics to cover, but there are so many other life skills we can build in to help customers along their employment journey. It’s about more than finding work – it’s about building confidence, friendships, and a sense of community.”

The vision is to continue evolving the programme, creating new and inclusive ways to empower customers, while also educating employers to embrace and celebrate diversity in the workplace.

“I’m very proud to have instigated and injected life into these sessions. Seeing firsthand how they’re enriching our customers’ lives is incredibly rewarding.”

And for people like Yeukai, that impact is clear – a renewed belief in herself, new friends, and the skills to move forward with confidence.