The participant in this article has chosen to remain anonymous and will be referred to as Emily for the purposes of this story.
Last year, Emily was referred to our charity’s Restart Scheme by the Job Centre with the hope of finding part-time, sustainable employment.
At the time, Emily was studying at college, attending four days a week while completing a course in Media Hair and Make-up.
As a single mother to her 7-year-old daughter, Emily faced childcare challenges. Her daughter’s school didn’t offer an after-school club, and her daughter was uncomfortable with a childminder. This prompted Emily to consider self-employment as a solution, offering her the flexibility to balance work and childcare.
Equipped with a driver’s license, her own transport, and an updated CV, Emily was ready to explore new opportunities. During their conversations, Emily revealed that she had been managing anxiety. With this in mind, Gemma offered her information about accessing a mentor through Newground Together for additional support. Emily was grateful for the suggestion and agreed to consider reaching out should she require extra guidance.
After completing her college course in July 2023, Emily began focusing on finding a more stable job. Having worked as a Wellbeing Worker and Healthcare Assistant before, she naturally leaned towards exploring opportunities in similar fields. Gemma, always supportive, recommended the Aspire Education Course, which equips people for roles in school support. Emily decided to give it a go, and after finishing the course, she immediately started searching for teaching assistant and school support positions through specialised recruitment agencies.
Alongside Gemma’s support, Emily also received guidance from the employer engagement officer, who helped her find job vacancies that suited her childcare needs. Together, they identified a position at East Lancashire Hospice, and with Gemma’s assistance, Emily successfully navigated the application process.
After her interview, Emily was delighted to be offered the role of Healthcare Assistant and started working at East Lancashire Hospice in January 2024. To help make the transition smoother, she received financial support to cover her travel expenses until her first pay came through.
Now, she’s thriving in her new job, successfully balancing both her career and family responsibilities.