Bouncing back
July 21, 2005
An East Cleveland man has overcome depression to make a fresh start at the helm of his new business.
Fred Harding, from Skelton, had to leave his job of 34 years after he suffered from a severe bout of depression, stress and anxiety.
Mounting pressure at work and the loss of both his father and father-in-law led to the attack two years ago, before which Mr Harding had only had one day off due to sickness.
After being on incapacity benefit for two years, the 54-year-old decided the time was right to move on. "The hardest part is having the confidence to go back to work and the help you can get gives you that," he said.
"There is the support you really need when you've been off for a while."
Mr Harding turned to Broker North East, part of the JobCentre Plus network, and his Bees-Knees business has just taken off.
Offering themed party planning and a whole range of gifts to people on Teesside, the former textile warehouse manager is thoroughly enjoying being his own boss.
His idea began blooming after his local JobCentre Plus office put him in touch with a Broker North East adviser and business start-up group, InBiz.
Adviser Ivan Wright said: "Broker North East helps people who are on incapacity benefit move back into work, whether for themselves or someone else. It's about giving people help and support to make that change from benefits back to employment. The difference it makes to someone's self-esteem and self-worth is priceless."
Bees-Knees also has a website at: www.beeskneesonline.co.uk
Source: Evening Gazette, 19/07/2005