by Saeema Yusuf MIEP

My favourite project while working with Belina has been the Sweet Project. This project supports women who are furthest from work and training, giving them the time and space to focus on themselves, build their confidence and take small steps towards achieving their own goals.

I have really enjoyed being part of this project and having the opportunity to reach and support women across the borough. It has been an honour to lead the project and see the positive difference it can make in women’s lives. I was also given the opportunity to run the project for a second time, working alongside my team members to continue supporting women on their journeys.

This project means a lot to me because it is about giving women the time, encouragement and support they need to focus on themselves and their future. It has been a very rewarding experience for me.

Working on the Sweet Project also led to me being nominated for the National Frontline Adviser of the Year Award.  This meant a lot to me, as it felt like recognition of the work I had put into the project and the difference we were making to women’s lives. It has also motivated me to keep doing more, reach more women and continue building support within the community.

For the Grow team, the Sweet Project gave us the opportunity to do more to support and work with women across the borough. It helped us build stronger connections within the community and reach women who may face barriers to accessing work and training. It also allowed us to offer women a safe and supportive space to focus on themselves, build confidence and work towards their personal goals.  As a team, we were able to grow our support in the community and make a positive difference in the lives of more women.

by Heather Ette FIEP

What we’ve achieved together at Grow is something I think is quite rare and very beautiful. A team of women supporting other women, but just as importantly, supporting each other.

I’ve seen the understanding, respect and kindness that runs through this team. People stepping in, covering for one another, sharing experiences and making sure everyone has what they need to succeed. Not just the women we support, but each other too.

Grow has always practised what it preaches. We’ve shown that flexible working really can work, that being a mother or carer shouldn’t mean compromising your professional ambitions, and that sometimes flexibility means being able to do the school run, put the children to bed and pick up your work again afterwards.

The team has constantly adapted, changed and found new ways to give women the support they actually need, rather than expecting them to fit into a particular way of doing things.

And I’ve had the best job in the world. Every week, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to women whose lives have changed because someone at Grow listened, believed in them and helped them see what was possible. Sharing their stories and celebrating their successes has been an absolute joy.

At the heart of it all has been Liz, always authentically herself, following her instincts and bringing everything back to what matters most: the women.

I’m so proud to have been part of this team. We’ve proved that there’s another way of doing things, and I hope we never forget that.

by Iryna Sydorova MIEP

When I joined Grow in July 2024, I didn’t expect this work to change the way I see my job, and the women I have met along the way.

What I will remember most are our in-person events at Kingston Council. Many women arrived a little nervous, often after years away from work and unsure whether anyone would want to hire them. Watching them talk to the team, and seeing that nervousness turn into confidence, was the best part of my job.

I am especially proud of the two workshops we ran in Ukrainian in September. Twenty-two women came, and being able to talk about work, children, and flexible jobs in their own language meant so much. Moments like that reminded me why a team that speaks eight languages mattered.

It was a joy to watch so many women find work in hospitality, education, retail and care. Each of them started somewhere: with a CV they doubted, a first volunteering shift at a local charity shop, or a conversation where someone finally believed in them.

Thank you to every woman who trusted us, to our partners, and to my colleagues, who made even the hardest days lighter. Working for Grow has been a privilege.

by Liz Sewell FIEP

The sad news – The funding for our CIC ended and we were not able to secure new funding in time. We could not pay our wonderful staff and so we had to take the incredibly heard decision to close down the office and offer redundancy to the team

The good news:  the Grow Project lives on – there is a need and a desire to keep the approach going and we will be looking at how best to do this in the coming months.

Grow has always been at the cutting edge of employability programmes, focusing on engagement, promoting specialist support, recognising the value of lived experience, bringing in new technology and embracing work life balance.

When we started Grow was just an idea – now we have knowledge, experience and a depth of understanding.

Watch this space.

by Michelle Grenada-Bryan MIEP

Few can say they achieved their life’s purpose through their career, but I am proud to be one of them. After a career break to raise my family, I was professionally directionless and lacking in confidence. That changed when I met the fantastic Liz on the Grow Programme, which supports women furthest from the job market. The programme gave me new skills and helped me forge a path to re-enter the workforce with a rewarding portfolio career. Since then, it has been an honour to support other courageous, tenacious women on that same journey.

Being a Grow graduate, employee, and freelancer has been my most fulfilling work to date. I progressed through various roles—from appointment liaison and researcher to employability advisor—culminating in coaching neurodiverse individuals to overcome workplace challenges. This project allowed me to build on my skills, spark further professional growth, and make a meaningful impact.

I will always look back on Grow, my colleagues, and the participants, with fond memories of my experiences and deep gratitude. I wish everyone I crossed paths with every success. Perhaps our paths cross again in the future!

by Sheeja Sethumadhavan MIEP

My journey with Grow is very close to my heart. ❤️ From being a recipient of support to becoming part of the team delivering it, this has been a journey of growth, learning and immense personal fulfilment. Having experienced the impact of Grow firsthand, I understand how valuable the right support can be in helping women move forward.

One of the most rewarding parts of my time at Grow has been supporting women from different backgrounds, each with their own challenges, aspirations and stories. Many faced barriers such as long-term unemployment, language barriers, childcare responsibilities, limited work experience and low confidence.

Being part of their journey, helping them recognise their strengths, build confidence and explore opportunities in employment, training and volunteering, has been truly meaningful. Seeing women take their first steps towards a new opportunity, believe in themselves again and realise their potential has reminded me why this work matters so much.

I have loved working alongside such a dedicated and passionate team, united by a shared commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where women feel heard, valued and empowered.

I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and grateful for the skills, knowledge, friendships and experiences I will carry forward. Most importantly, I will cherish the connections made and the stories of the women whose strength and determination have inspired me throughout this journey.

As Grow comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who has been part of this special chapter. It has been a privilege to contribute to a project that has made a meaningful difference in women’s lives.

I will always be proud to have been part of Grow. 💚

by Kaneez Fatima MIEP

Looking back on my time at Grow, I feel truly grateful for the journey I have been on, the opportunities I have been given, and, most importantly, the wonderful people who have made this experience so special. I am leaving with a full heart, so many lovely memories, and a real sense of pride in everything we have achieved together.

A special thank you to Liz, who has been such an important part of my journey. Her trust, encouragement and belief in me have meant more than I can put into words. She has always given me the confidence to take on new challenges, explore different responsibilities and believe in my own abilities. From enrolment and onboarding to compliance and outcomes, every opportunity has helped me learn, grow and discover what I am capable of. I will always be grateful that she saw that potential in me and gave me the space and support to grow. I honestly would not be where I am today without her guidance and encouragement.

I have also been incredibly fortunate to work with what I believe is the best team to work with. The support, teamwork, encouragement and willingness to learn from one another have made even the challenges rewarding. Working together across projects like 3SC, Bridge and many others has been a reminder of what we can achieve when we support one another and share a common purpose. I will genuinely miss the people who have made coming to work such a positive and meaningful experience.

Grow Digital Leicester has a particularly special place in my heart,a project that helps women build their digital skills, explore AI and grow in confidence has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing women discover new possibilities, recognise their own potential and feel more confident about their futures has reminded me of the real difference this work can make. It is something I will always feel proud to have been part of.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Grow for making my journey so memorable. Thank you for the trust, the opportunities, the encouragement, the laughter and all the little moments that have made such a big difference. I am leaving with so much gratitude, wonderful friendships and memories I will always treasure.

by Khatera Ahmad MAIEP

I always say, “I have grown with Belina Grow,” because my journey started the day I joined Grow as a participant. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a journey that would shape both my personal and professional life.

Living in this country without any family members around me, Belina Grow became my little family. It felt as though God had blessed me with people who genuinely cared for me, supported me and celebrated my achievements. My colleagues became my best friends, my biggest supporters and my cheerleaders. Liz will always be someone I look up to, an inspiration whose energy, encouragement and belief in people have motivated me throughout my journey.

Every project I have worked on has taught me something valuable, but leading the Job Brokerage project was particularly special. It challenged me, helped me grow in confidence, strengthened my discipline and taught me how to lead, manage responsibilities and work under pressure.

Looking back on more than six years with Belina Grow, I feel incredibly grateful. I have gained so much more than work experience. I have gained friendships, unforgettable memories, valuable life lessons and a stronger belief in myself.

Belina Grow will always hold a special place in my heart. It was not just where I worked; it was where I grew, found my people and discovered what I was capable of achieving. I will carry a piece of Grow with me wherever my journey takes me next.

by Mercedes Grant FIEP

Where do I even begin? Belina has been so much more than a place of work for me. My journey started as a woman coming through the programme myself, never imagining that I would go on to spend 13 incredible years working alongside some of the most amazing women I’ve ever met.

What started as an opportunity became a career, lifelong friendships and a team of women who have truly become family. Together, we’ve laughed, cried, supported one another, overcome challenges and, most importantly, had the privilege of making a positive difference in the lives of so many women across London and the UK.

Being part of something that empowers women to recognise their potential, build their confidence and create new opportunities for themselves has been both inspiring and incredibly rewarding. I’ve grown so much personally and professionally, and I will always be grateful for the people, experiences and memories that have shaped my journey.

Although Belina’s doors are closing, its impact doesn’t end here. It lives on in every woman we’ve supported, every life we’ve touched and every connection we’ve made. And that is something I will always be proud of.