Neha joined as a PESF client in August 2021 through self-referral. Initially Neha just wanted help to find a job as she had been out of the workforce for a number of years raising her children but she felt it was the right time to get back to work. She had previously lots of retail experience but wanted to try something different.
With support from her ABZWorks Keyworker, she applied for a number of jobs as a Nursery Assistant as she felt she wanted to work with kids. She had a number of interviews which her Keyworker supported her with using confidence building techniques and interview skills, but she was unsuccessful every time with the feedback being “not enough experience”. After a number of discussions as to where to go next, her Keyworker suggested training to gain more experience and undertaking a college course. Neha decided this was something she wanted to do so was supported by her Keyworker to join the local college, NESCol, and she was awarded a place in an Early Education and Childcare course which is a 1 year course. After getting her youngest child into a nearby nursery three days a week to cover her days at college and ensuring her eldest child had a place in after school club, she was ready to get started. She even managed to sit and pass her driving test over the summer to give her even more independence for going to college and having time to pick up the kids rather than having to rely on public transport.
Neha left ABZWorks in August 2022 when she started her college course. In spring 2023, during her check-ins with her Keyworker, Neha asked for some advice on updating her CV as she was coming to the end of her course, and she felt it had gone really well. Her Keyworker was able to support her with this and also discussed if she would like to continue to another course to further upskill her knowledge or if she would be looking for employment. She felt with the knowledge and training she had gained that she would like to go down the employment route. Her Keyworker directed her to the council website where all the school vacancies are located. In June 2023 she got back in touch to say she had been offered a job at a school nearby as a Support Worker and would be starting in August 2023 after the school holidays. These timescales were perfect for her as she could enjoy the summer with her own two children with a job to look forward to at the start of the new school year.
Neha’s Keyworker Christine said “It was a pleasure helping Neha navigate the path she needed to take to get where she wanted to be to secure a job which I am sure she will be fabulous at.”
Neha said about the support from ABZWorks “My experience with ABZWorks is amazing. The guidance that I have got from them helped me to shape my career and path. I really appreciate what ABZWorks have done for me.”
A paid internship programme for care experienced young people