WESTMINSTER WHEELS TRAINEE SINCE 2024
James, 40 years old, is a former ambulance driver who, after working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, started to suffer from severe depression and anxiety.
James ended up being out of work and wanting to change careers without knowing where to go next. His advisors from Westminster Council supported James in finding work and recommended him to join the work placement at Westminster Wheels as a bike mechanic.
“I was suffering with severe depression and anxiety. I didn’t know where I was going. I was just sort of in limbo doing nothing. And also, I just I had no self-worth. I was really struggling with my mental health. This work placement really helped me turn my life around and believe in myself again.”
James told us he was a bit intimidated at first, but the friendly and supportive environment at Westminster Wheels helped him get out of his shell and feel comfortable around people again.
“People like Barnaby and Tomasz and everyone around: they’ve just been so supportive and they’ve really helped me come away with the City and Guilds qualification as well.”
“I was very nervous about doing the actual City and Guilds qualification course, but I really did enjoy every moment of it. And I would recommend it to as many people as I possibly could, because it was a great skill to have. And you can apply it in some really great ways.”
One day, someone fainted in front of the Westminster Wheels shop. James managed to use his experience as an ambulance driver and first aider to support them.
“I sprung into action and I saved her. I had to protect her, because she was hitting her head on the floor, and make sure airway was clear and all that. So then I did the handover with the paramedics to tell them what I witnessed.”
“I just treat everybody like a human being. I don’t care about anything else. If I can help somebody, I always will.”
James has completed his work placement with Westminster Wheels in August and is now employed at the Royal Opera House as TPC Lighting, where he used to work as a Stage Technician, several years ago.