Diana joined GRoW to help her find work after being made redundant from her office administrator job and is now looking forward to a new start working with Heathrow Security.
Diana said; “I first met GRoW at a Jobs Fair in Uxbridge where I was attending with my mother. Due to the war breaking out my mother had joined me in the UK and we went along to see if we could find part time work that would enable us to work shifts and look after my young daughter between us.
GRoW explained that they could help with writing CVs, Cover Letters and Interview Practice which were all things I needed support with. I had been applying for jobs prior to joining GRoW but was lacking these skills. I also felt I needed some help with my self confidence as I had been at home for two years after being made redundant during the pandemic whilst I was expecting my daughter. Being pregnant, I found it really hard to get another job and when my daughter arrived and I was a single parent with no support around me it became even more difficult. I was really pleased when my mum came over in March and we found a way forward for both of us to be able to work.
I have worked previously in a range of different jobs from Business Administration, Sales Assistant, Waitress and Customer Services which I particularly enjoyed because I like communicating with people, helping to solve problems and issues. I also like to challenge myself and have always been interested in working in enforcement in some way, whether for the police, immigration, border force or security. I applied to the Metropolitan Police for a voluntary position which unfortunately never materialised due to the pandemic but I continued to pursue my dream and applied to Heathrow for a Security Officer job which involves being responsible for the safety of passengers and visitors. I am currently waiting for them to complete their security checks but they have arranged for me to start training with a view to starting work in the next few months.
GRoW have been really helpful through the process, asking me if I needed any help with the application, upgrading my out-of-date CV, giving me an opportunity to brush up my interview skills and even offering suitable clothing for the interview. All the help they gave me has raised my confidence too which is something I really needed.
With the GRoW Programme there is no one thing that helps on its own, it’s the overall offer they provide, the positive attitude and the support from the whole team. They are always there to offer advice and offer so many different ways to get involved, from online and in-person events and to celebrations like the party we had at Christmas. It was so positive and encouraging and it really motivates you, especially after being at home for a long time. To be able to go out there and present yourself, meet new people and communicate is really important. I had been surrounded by people who only speak Ukranian and was actually forgetting how to speak and write English! Talking to new people and making conversations in an informal setting really helped me to get my language skills back.
My mum found a part-time job at a bakery at the Jobs Fair and is now working 2 days a week so she can help look after my daughter when I am working but I am currently working with Maria my GRoW Adviser to register my daughter with childcare so I know I have backup for when my mum goes back to Ukraine.
I’m really pleased I joined GRoW. The team are so motivating, encouraging us to put ourselves out there. Like they say ‘nobody is going to come knocking on your door – you need to out and find it!’ another thing they say is ‘If you don’t try it, how do you know you don’t want it?’ – I think these are two really good mottos to stand by and I have to say they have worked for me!