Cerco Academy’s Very Own Debbie Winch Talks Returning to Work After 15 Years

Returning to work after a long break can feel overwhelming. For Debbie, it meant rebuilding confidence after years shaped by military life, caregiving, injury, and self-doubt. Her journey back into the tech sector is a story of resilience, support, and rediscovering skills she never truly lost. 

A life shaped by service

Debbie’s life has always been influenced by Service. Her husband, Dean, served in the Army, and the family were based in Cheshire. That stability was shattered when Dean sustained a life-changing head injury during a navigation exercise. His medical discharge meant the family lost its primary breadwinner, forcing Debbie to confront a future she hadn’t planned for. 

“At the beginning of the journey, I felt like I wasn’t ready,” Debbie says. “I’d been out of work for eight years, and I didn’t even know where to start.” 

The day everything changed

In 2016, Debbie was hit by a car at a petrol station. The accident left her with long-term pain and had a lasting impact on her mental health. Anxiety and isolation crept in, and she gradually withdrew from life outside her home. 

“I’d stopped engaging with people,” she explains. “I stuck to my little family because it felt safe. I really doubted whether I’d cope at work again.” 

The idea of returning to employment, let alone a fast-moving industry like tech, felt far out of reach. 

Finding the right support

When Debbie registered for support, she was introduced to Families Employment Advisor, Tanja. What followed was not a tick-box process, but a relationship built on trust and understanding. 

“Tanja is amazing,” Debbie says. “It never felt like she was about targets. It felt like talking to a best friend who gave me the nudge I needed.” 

Together, they focused on what Debbie could do rather than what she feared she couldn’t. They reviewed her CV, rebuilt her interview confidence, explored training and education opportunities through TechVets, and examined routes into local employers. Just as importantly, Tanja helped Debbie see that her skills were still there, waiting to be recognised. 

Taking the first steps

The real turning point came when Debbie began attending events. Her first was the Op ASCEND Pathways into Tech in London. For someone managing anxiety, chronic pain, and family responsibilities, travelling alone was a huge step. 

“I’d never stayed away from the kids before,” she says. “I was anxious about everything — the travel, the hotel, the pain — but I pushed myself.” 

In March 2025, Debbie also attended the Families team’s flagship Empowering You event at the Radbroke campus. Being surrounded by others navigating their own transitions helped her realise she wasn’t alone. 

“Walking into Barclays and seeing that environment — everyone thinking, creating, buzzing — it made me think: I want this again. That event made me serious about getting a job.” 

Rebuilding confidence, one conversation at a time

For years, Debbie’s biggest fear had been whether she was “good enough.” But as she spoke at events and connected with others, something shifted. 

“After hearing myself talk, something clicked,” she says. “I realised I could do this.” 

Just months later, that confidence translated into action. 

Returning to Tech

In August 2025, Debbie began her new role as a Junior IT Instructor at Cerco C2C Academy. After 15 years away from the sector, it was a powerful moment of validation. 

“Getting back to full-time work has removed the stress of our situation,” she says. “But it’s also helped me realise my skills and experience are still relevant.” 

Looking back, Debbie laughs when asked what surprised her most about her abilities. “Pretty much everything.” 

Years as a stay-at-home mum had made her forget her professional identity. But through conversations with Tanja, it became clear that she had continued to develop valuable skills every day — she just hadn’t labelled them as such. 

Bringing lived experience into the workplace

Debbie’s employer sees exactly what she brings. Kieron Davies, Operations Manager at Cerco C2C Academy, highlights the value of her experience: 

“As the spouse of a veteran, Debbie faced challenges common within the military community — frequent relocations, career interruptions, and difficulty maintaining professional continuity. These circumstances often hide talent rather than diminish it.

Debbie’s resilience, adaptability, and communication skills now enrich the team far beyond technical capability, bringing empathy, depth, and a unique perspective.”

Looking ahead

For Debbie, Tanja’s support was the catalyst that made change possible. 

“I didn’t think I needed support,” she admits. “I’d worked in recruitment. I knew how to write CVs. But Tanja gave me the pieces I was missing — the conversation, the nudge, the accountability.” 

Now thriving in a role she once thought was out of reach, Debbie’s story is a reminder that skills built through military life, caregiving, and adversity don’t disappear. 

“It’s given me endless possibilities,” she says. “Ultimately, it’s allowed me to return to an industry I thought I’d never be able to.” 

On behalf of everyone at Cerco, I would like to congratulate Debbie on the achievements. Her contributions to Cerco in the time she has been her is extraordinary.

Original Post: Stepping back into Tech after 15 years: Debbie’s story | Forces Employment Charity