When you lose your job it affects every part your life – which is why it’s so important that organisations like NABS exists.
Lee Baring, 36, from Aylesford, Kent is Head of Broadcast at VCCP Media and became an Ambassador a year ago in order to help others not to suffer in silence.
“I fell on hard times six years ago when I tried to set up my own media agency. Things didn’t go to plan and I ran out of money. It was the worst time of my life. I was two days away from not being able to pay my mortgage with a young family to support and I felt overwhelmed with nobody to speak to.
When you lose your job and source of income it has a knock-on effect on every part of your life. I think I was in shock for a while but then decided to pick up the phone and email as many people I’d met in the industry as possible. I was lucky that I found a job after six weeks – but at the time that seemed like ages to be out of work.
Even when I started my new job it took a while to adjust. I had gone from working with one business partner to working in a young, loud agency. At the beginning I felt completely isolated, my confidence had taken a severe knocking and people told me I seemed withdrawn.
I now know that NABS could have helped me through this difficult time in so many different ways. That’s why I decided to become an Ambassador – so I can tell people going through similar work situations that there’s no need to suffer in silence and NABS is the safety blanket they need.
I’ve been in the industry for 20 years and it feels good to give something back by offering help and advice as a NABS Ambassador. I always enjoy telling people about NABS and seeing the surprise on their faces when they realise that this amazing organisation exists which offers such brilliant, free support and guidance.”