Adeama's story
To understand the real impact of our work, it is sometimes
better to hear the story direct from the client. One such example
is Adeama Cooper's story.
"On the 11 July 2003 my Mother died. I had been fired from my
job one month prior to this and thought nothing of it at the time.
But, when I suddenly lost my mother, my home and everything I had
come to know as my own, it had a huge impact. Lonely and
vulnerable, I put all my faith in God and found solace in
exercise, which helped me to focus and find inner and outer
strength.
After a while I decided to pursue a career in
fitness and over two years from 2005 to 2007, I qualified first as
a gym instructor and then as an aerobics instructor. I rebuilt
my life in this time, moved into my own house with my partner
and started looking for a job. I had finally regained my
confidence. I applied for hundreds of jobs as a fitness instructor
and attended many interviews, but was turned down time and
time again because of my lack of experience and the big gaps in my
CV. I felt disheartened.
Three weeks after I qualified, my partner
viciously assaulted me, pulling out most of my hair at the front. I
found myself in Hackney, a place I had never been to before,
staying at the Nia Project (a women's refuge). I had lost
everything again, but I decided to stay strong and still pursue my
dreams with my faith in God.
On the 14 January 2008 I walked into Working Links in Mare
Street. Within one hour I had confirmation of an interview
with the Greenwich Leisure at Clissold Park Leisure Centre. Excited
and inspired, I attended my interview and on the 24 January 2008 I
was notified that I had been successful. I finally got my job as a
fitness instructor!
I am over the moon and so grateful to Working
Links for giving me this opportunity. There are so many career
prospects for me through Greenwich Leisure and next month
I will hopefully be teaching aerobics classes throughout the
company as well! One hour in Working Links has changed my life and
the assistance they have given me to help me back to work has been,
and still is, invaluable. I would like to thank Laurel Prince and
Brent Thompson for making this all possible for me. They both went
above and beyond the call of duty for me and seriously made my
dreams come true. I now look to the future with great joy and
anticipation."