Wendy Pritchard – Hove, East Sussex
“The tutors made me feel completely at
ease and good about myself.”
Wendy Pritchard, 36, had been a lone parent to
her two children for seven years when she decided to look into
retraining to further her career. Wendy attempted a few courses but
couldn’t give up the time needed to complete them. Wendy was
frustrated because she wanted to be more than just a mum so she
decided to speak to Jobcentre Plus about her situation.
Jobcentre Plus put Wendy in touch with Working
Links Tutor Ella Guilding, who signed her up to the ‘Stepping
Stones’ return to work training programme. Wendy completed a four
week ‘Lone Parent’ course, which included a day dedicated to
confidence and motivation coaching which had a profound effect on
her. “I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Wendy
said, as the pre-employment training programme made her realise
that she’d be able to fulfil her career goal by achieving it step
by step. The course gave her the routine she required and motivated
her into looking for work.
Wendy is now volunteering at a children’s
playgroup in Hove with a view to starting her NVQ2 in Child Care.
She is also volunteering for the Neighbourhood Care Scheme and is
also about to start a part time job as a Carer with Heritage Care.
Since she started her care work, Wendy has completed a First Aid at
Work training course and will begin her Manual Handling and
Medication training soon. She is really happy with the help with
employment help she received and is thrilled about how her
life has turned around.
Aaron Carson - Hackney
“Thank you Working Links for
helping in me in more ways than I could have asked
for.”
After leaving school, Aaron Carson, 21, began
an administration apprenticeship but this was cut short after three
months when the company shut down after a fire. After this setback
Aaron struggled to find work as he hadn’t been to college and had
no formal qualifications.
Aaron joined Working Links and through our
employment training services he managed to get an in-work placement
for three months with an IT company. Although Aaron received
excellent feedback from the company, the placement came to an end
and Aaron found himself back on our programme, feeling unconfident
and disheartened. His Working Links Consultant Ann Bearpark and his
Job Search Consultant Gemma Horsefield worked with him on job
searches and helped him to build his confidence and overcome his
lack of work experience and training.
Aaron applied for a role at Britannia College
and although the interviewers really liked him, they wanted
references for Aaron which was a problem as his previous companies
no longer existed. We were able to provide Aaron with a reference,
as he had worked with us for the past year and attended courses and
a work trial, resulting in very favourable reports of his
behaviour, attendance and likable character. Britannia College gave
Aaron a position and he couldn’t be happier, “I doubt I would have
been able to get back into work without the help and commitment
from Working Links. They were always pushing me in the right
direction and always had my best interests in mind.”
Lorraine Fox - Hackney
“For the first time I’m feeling
hopeful about the future.”
Single mum to four, Lorraine Fox, 43, had been
on benefits for 12 years and was fed up of her situation. After
being introduced to Working Links things began to look up for
Lorraine. As part of our employment training services, a member of
our Self-employment Team helped Lorraine with legal advice and
start-up funding so she had the confidence and knowledge to start
her own business. She now runs the eco-friendly catering service
The Sandwich Barge on London’s Regent’s Canal. Lorraine said,
“After 12 years as an unemployed single parent, you begin to feel
forgotten. Now I’m thrilled to be running my own business and
supporting my family.”
If you are looking for a job in
London or the South East and would like to find out more
about how Working Links can help you then please contact us or call us free
on
0800 917 9262.