Carterbar.com

Julie Swinburne is celebrating after landing a job 16 years after the brain haemorrhage that almost claimed her life and left her unable to work.

Fifty-two-year-old Julie, from Billingham, Teesside, has taken up a role as an administrator with local financial services company Carterbar.

Julie, who has lived in Billingham since 1981, suffered her brain haemorrhage in 1994, coming close to death as surgeons battled to save her life.

She said: “I was seriously ill and underwent emergency surgery. It was life-threatening and very frightening and it took me a long time to recover from what happened.”

The illness meant that Julie was unable to return to her work in an admin job. She did have a full-time post for three months in 2000 but found herself unable to handle the stresses of the job. As a result, she had all but given up any hope of working again.

Now, though, Carterbar has taken her on as an administrator setting up a new computerised recording system at its offices in Manor Way, on Belasis Business Park.

Julie said: “I had been out of work for sixteen years and I had really given up hope of ever going back.  However, a friend told me about this job and I was delighted when I was taken on.

“It is great to be working again. It has done so much for my confidence. I feel fine and friends are saying that I am a different person.”

Carterbar Managing Director Arthur Dornan said: “Julie has been through a hard time and we were pleased to be able to give her a job. We are passionate about the people who work for us and we have seen her confidence growing day by day. Julie is doing an important job for us.”

Carterbar has been in business for 13 years. Its services include advice on mortgages, life assurance, income protection, pensions, investments and medical cover.