Date: 7 April 2008
For Litsa Michael life as a single mum of
three not only sparked an innovative business idea but a better way
of living for her family. This month she is launching her own
business and will be sharing her inspirational story at the
4Children annual conference later this month.
During the event on 28 and 29 April at the
QEII Conference Centre in London, Litsa will be on hand to talk to
people about how she overcame the barriers to change her life and
that of her children.
She will be among several people to share
their experiences at the 4Children and Barnado’s joint conference,
which is being run in partnership with the Families and
Neighbourhoods’ strand of Working Links.
Until six months ago, 34-year-old Litsa, from
Chelsea, was unemployed and bringing up children on her own. She
had been out of the workplace for six years, had experienced debt
and an ongoing health condition and had childcare issues. She
wasn’t sure what opportunities were available to her.
But with the support of the Families and
Neighbourhoods team at Working Links, who work in the heart of
communities to help families change their lives, she has turned her
life around. With their help she was able to find out what services
were available to her and discuss her future. Crucially this was
done in an informal and supportive environment. She was given
advice on benefits and childcare options and given help to prepare
a CV and boost her interview skills.
Litsa had previously worked in the fashion
industry. When she decided that she wanted to work, she hit on the
idea to go into business as a self-employed agent using her
contacts in the industry. She set up a meeting with her children’s
ballet teacher who was interested in bringing out a range of
clothing and this set the ball rolling.
“Meeting Simon Lewis of the Families and
Neighbourhoods’ team at my child’s nursery changed my life,” said
Litsa. “For the first time since becoming a mother, I felt the
support was in place to help me explore all my options. We
discussed education, work, retraining and even self-employment.
“By providing me with the relevant information
and arranging meetings, I found a resolve for all the practical
hurdles in my way. The biggest and most important to me was
childcare. I am proud to say that I am now starting my own business
and am looking forward to the future. That’s quite an achievement
considering just six months ago I hadn’t even considered working
while raising three young children.”
As a single parent the most important aspect
to make it all possible was the convenience and informality of the
meetings along with the support, said Litsa. “Whether it be advice
in person or moral support over the phone, Simon was always
accessible.”
Jane Baxter, Head of Families and
Neighbourhoods, said: “We have an important role to play in helping
families, children and young people. We are committed to helping
more children and families out of poverty – it is at the heart of
what we do.”
Katrina Whittaker and David Winning of Working
Links will be speaking at the 4Children annual conference and there
will be two Working Links workshop sessions over the two
days.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Sasha Rust-Andrews, Brand Manager
Tel: 07966 801173 or email:
sasha.rust-andrews@workinglinks.co.uk
Or Nicola Doughty, Press Officer
Tel: 07792 445512 or email:
nicola.doughty@workinglinks.co.uk
Notes to editors
Families and Neighbourhoods
is the specialist arm of the well-established Working Links. It was
set up in 2007 to focus on the needs of children, young people and
families. It has initiated a number of successful pilot schemes and
within its first six months connected with almost 1,000
families.
Working Links was founded in 2000 and operates
in almost 100 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. It is a
unique organisation that delivers services to tackle social
exclusion and poverty by helping disadvantaged individuals and
communities.
Working Links’ belief that employment is the
best route out of poverty has helped 90,000 people back into the
workplace. It is a public-private-voluntary partnership between the
Government’s Shareholder Executive, Manpower, Capgemini and Mission
Australia. It delivers effective solutions by working in
partnership with organisations. For further details check out:
4Children is the national
charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures
for all children. It aspires to ensure that all children, young
people and families have access to a creative, safe and child
focused environment, and activities. 4Children provides an
information line for parents and childcare professionals with
advice and support on all aspects of childcare, including details
of out of school clubs in your area. For further information
contact Julie Watkins on 0207 522 6928 or julie.watkins@4Children.org.uk