GRoW participant Maria Luiza has just started studying for the AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping at Uxbridge College. Maria shares her experience with us:
“My GRoW Adviser Saeema called me last week to let me know about a Level 2 course in Bookkeeping that I could do, it was the last day to sign up and I’m so glad I managed to get on the course. I’m not sure what I want to do for work but I do know that I want to learn something new. I think learning a new skill is good for my confidence as it makes me feel I am doing something for myself and putting my time to good use.
I’m not sure how things will evolve after I have finished the course but if I enjoy what I have learned I might try a career in the future in bookkeeping or accounting. I think it’s in my personal interest to understand basic accounting and financial matters, it comes very handy in life. When Saeema called me I just thought “why not give it a chance?”. I thought it would be good for me to engage with other adults as I’m a stay at home mum at the moment and it’s nice to get out and see people. The tutor at the college told us that at the end of the course we would be in a good position to apply for bookkeeping jobs so you never know, a job might even come out of it!
I started the course last week on 7th October, it is completely FREE and it’s part classroom and part online so I get to meet up with the other students on the week we are at the college. I’m so glad I did it as I love it! I will sit 2 exams and the course is expected to finish in January.
I signed up to the GRoW Programme in January 2020 and I really enjoyed taking part in the sessions. I was quite shy at first and was feeling quite low and depressed at the time. The GRoW Programme really helped me as it gave me the chance to just be myself for an hour and a half as there was a creche there at the Childrens Centre with childminders to look after my youngest. It was just lovely to get that break away to think of myself for a change and I felt so much happier after the sessions and much more confident.
It was great to meet Saeema, my GRoW Adviser and we have had lots of conversations over the phone since we can’t meet up face-to-face. I wish I had known about the GRoW Programme years ago when I first became a mum, I really needed some support at that time and I thought being at home was all I could do. I wish I had known that I could train for something new and use my time more productively and have someone supporting me along the way. It really has been a lifeline.”