Tonya Finds Confidence and Connection

Key Points:

• Tonya rebuilt her confidence through Inclusive Employment Australia with consistent support from The Personnel Group’s employment team.
• Her volunteering experience helped her stay connected to the community while preparing for paid employment opportunities.
• After successfully completing a busy work period, Tonya secured ongoing employment and gained greater independence.
• Continued support from The Personnel Group’s In Work Mentors provides ongoing guidance, workplace assistance, and training to help her sustain long-term success.

Summary: 

Tonya’s journey through Inclusive Employment Australia shows how personalised support can help individuals rebuild confidence and achieve meaningful employment. With guidance from The Personnel Group’s team, she transitioned from volunteering at her local radio station to securing ongoing paid work while continuing to stay connected to her community. Ongoing support from our In Work Mentors, she was able to grow, maintain her role, and build independence in both her work and personal life.

Table of Contents: 

1. Introduction
2. Tonya’s Journey with Inclusive Employment Australia
3. Achieving Independence Through Meaningful Employment
4. How The Personnel Group Provides Ongoing Support

The satisfaction our team feels when we see a customer grow in confidence and achieve their goals is incredible and this is certainly true for Tonya, who joined our Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) service in Scamander, Tasmania.

Tonya’s Journey with Inclusive Employment Australia

Tonya has always enjoyed staying connected to her community. For many years she has volunteered at her local radio station, a role that provides her with routine, belonging, and pride. Despite this strong sense of purpose, Tonya has lived with long‑term mental health challenges shaped by past trauma. At times this led her to withdraw from the community she cares deeply about, but with the steady support of team members Simon and Maryanne, she began rebuilding her confidence while continuing to engage in the activities she enjoyed.

In the lead‑up to Christmas, a local employer contacted Tonya and asked whether she could help them during a busy trading period, which Tonya bravely accepted.  Over several days of full‑time work, she demonstrated reliability, capability, and a strong work ethic, gaining confidence with each shift and impressing the team during an especially demanding time of year.

With support from our Inclusive Employment Australia team in Tasmania, Tonya has embraced new opportunities, rebuilt her confidence, and is now thriving in both paid work and her community.

Achieving Independence Through Meaningful Employment

Tonya’s strong performance resulted in an offer of ongoing employment.  This achievement helped her rediscover her confidence and independence. She now enjoys what she proudly describes as “the best of both worlds”, continuing her much‑loved volunteer work at the radio station while thriving in paid employment.

Our IEA Team Leader – Simon, and In Work Mentor – Maryanne, both continue to support her, exploring further training including a CPR course, and workplace assistance to help her keep building on this progress.

How The Personnel Group Provides Ongoing Support

At The Personnel Group, our support doesn’t end when a customer starts work. Our In Work Mentors work closely with every customer to ensure they are fully supported as they transition into their new workplace. This includes regular check‑ins, tailored on‑the‑job support, and ongoing communication and support with the employer, to make sure the placement is successful for everyone involved. Our team is there to assist with problem‑solving, further training needs, and any adjustments that help both the customer and the workplace thrive.

Reflecting on Tonya’s journey, Simon said, “It has been really wonderful to watch Tonya step into this role and enjoy life in new ways. She’s worked hard, built her confidence, and now she’s thriving both at work and in the community. Seeing her happy and connected makes every effort worthwhile.”