Nikita Hindhaugh is an apprentice at Ashington Jobcentre. She started her Civil Service journey in a placement as part of Movement to Work.

Nikita said: “Before my placement, I was long-term unemployed. I was a carer and I was socially isolated. I had low self-esteem, low self-worth and no confidence at all. I wanted to find work but I struggled to stay motivated. Because of my isolation, I found it difficult to communicate with people in person. Now I’ve spoken at Civil Service Live.

My work coach had spoken to me about the Civil Service as a career before, but it all sounded too complicated and I felt like I wasn’t qualified. Then one day, I was offered and accepted a work experience opportunity at the jobcentre. It was a very real experience – it wasn’t watered down and I wasn’t wrapped in cotton wool or anything. It was just real… And challenging. The service that I was providing to the customers made me feel like I was making a real difference. It was transformational and empowering!

I had a really good, nurturing mentor, and the team all made me feel included. They gave me feedback and encouragement and it helped me to appreciate talents that I had overlooked. Feeling included and appreciated was a massive confidence boost. I’m still an introvert, but since I have joined the Civil Service I have never felt limited by it.

I have recently taken over line management of the Movement to Work placements, because I want to give them what I had when I did my placement.

My Movement to Work placement opened my eyes to the possibilities of the Civil Service as a career and negated my self-doubts. It was the first big step in making me the person that I am today and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity.”