Keith Gardner - LifeWorks Testimonial

I served 20 years in the RAF as a Heavy Goods Vehicle driver. It was a job that I loved, I never wanted to leave the RAF. But in January 2011 my back had deteriorated through degenerative disc disease. On top of which I had arthritis and carpel tunnel. I was medically discharged following spinal surgery.

After leaving the RAF, I had a secured a temporary job and it was looking promising. When that came to an end, I contacted local organisations about employment opportunities. Having told them about my condition, they recommended me for the RBLI LifeWorks course.

"LifeWorks is not there to force you into a career that you don’t want to do, it’s there for you to find out about yourself and support finding what you want to do."

I was really looking forward to the course as I really struggled with the change from military to civilian life. For example, I’d chosen the temporary job offer because many of the employees that worked there were ex-military. Looking back, I wanted that familiarisation and security within work. The Coaching for Change module of LifeWorks was where I really started to feel an improvement. I now know where I had been making mistakes. That module opened the doors that were holding me back.

Prior to LifeWorks, I attended an Interview Techniques course through the official Defence channels. It didn’t really take into account my personal issues, or ask me what my needs where. In contrast the LifeWorks course recognises that you are there for a reason and can address issues like having a physical or mental disability and how you could bring these issues up at an interview. Being able to discuss my needs in this way has been absolutely brilliant. The other course did not really have those answers I was looking for.

During LifeWorks there were times when people, including myself, struggled to answer a question, the casual environment and relationship between everyone meant we could revisit questions at our own pace. It was more like a chat between friends than a traditional learning scenario.

"The inspiration I have received from everyone on the course is just unreal."

All the attendees on the course with me were there for different reasons and at different stage in their careers and life. Some people were a lot more confident than others, and had got set goals. I could tell that even those people were learning from the others who were just starting the transition, whilst those of us who were just beginning the transition learnt as much from the more experienced people on the course as from the training. The inspiration I have received from everyone on the course is just unreal.

"I now know that I can start planning what I want to do and above all I have regained my confidence again."

LifeWorks is not there to force you into a career that you don’t want to do, it’s there for you to find out about yourself and support finding what you want to do. I haven’t decided on a career yet, but I know that from what I have learnt on LifeWorks and with the tools that I have been given, I now know that I can start planning what I want to do and above all I have regained my confidence again.

For more information, please email Lifeworks@rbli.co.uk or visit our LifeWorks Page

Or call 0800 319 6844