References when my manager was laid off too - first time posting

I worry a reference will only confirm dates of employment. This is my first time dealing with any of this. I have one former client who liked my work. Who did you use?

A client reference worked well for me. It shows you deliver outside the company too.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.