Jaynika Builds Digital Skills for Work and Life

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Jaynika joined the Grow Digital programme in Leicester, supported by the AKG Community Investment Fund, to improve her digital skills and build her confidence using technology. She had some basic experience but wanted to learn more, especially how digital tools could help her in everyday life and when applying for jobs.

Jaynika said: “I wanted to learn more about digital and AI. I had used things like ChatGPT before, but not deeply. I didn’t really understand how to use it properly.

Before this, I had not used computers properly. I had some basic knowledge, but not in detail. I was looking for work, like supermarket or warehouse jobs, but I knew I needed to improve my skills.

I found Grow through a programme at a people’s centre. One of the ladies told me about it and after that, I joined the session.”

Jaynika took part in a Grow Digital course, where she was introduced to digital tools and AI.

Jaynika said: “The course helped me understand how to use AI and digital tools better. I learned how to make a CV, write cover letters, and understand job descriptions. The sessions were also delivered in a supportive and accessible way.

“Sometimes I don’t understand everything in English, but the tutor, Grow’s Kaneez Fatima helped and explained in Hindi as well. That helped me a lot. Now I understand more about how to use digital tools and if I don’t know something, I can ask and find the answer. It helps me in everyday life as well as for work – I learned how to make a CV for different jobs and how to write cover letters.

Now I feel more confident using digital skills, but I am still learning. I want to keep improving and learn more.”

Jaynika is continuing to look for work and says she now feels better prepared to apply for roles. She found the support from Grow really impactful: “The digital course helped me a lot. It’s not just for jobs, it helps with everything in life, especially what I learned about how to use AI like Chat GPT. It’s also very helpful to be with other women learning at the same time as it feels comfortable.”

Jaynika plans to continue building her digital skills and use what she has learned to support her job search.

“I am more confident now, and I want to keep learning.”

 

Sumbal Finds Herself Again Through Grow

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Sumbal joined the Grow Programme after trying on her own to find work that would fit around her three young children. As a single parent, she was looking for something that would work for her family life, while also helping her rebuild her confidence and sense of identity.

Through Grow, she was introduced to an Early Years Skills Bootcamp, which she is now completing.

Sumbal said:

“I’ve got four kids who are 8, 7, 3 and 2 and I’m a single parent. After my youngest was born, I started thinking, I need to be me again. Since my first child was born in 2017, everything has been about the kids. People don’t even call you by your name, they just know me as my kids’ mum. I thought I need to snap out of it and do something for myself.

I tried on my own for about eight months. I was applying online, doing interviews, even doing some remote commission work. I thought working from home might suit me because of the kids, but it didn’t work. I was still at home, still surrounded by everything, not socialising. I realised that’s not for me.

I remembered Grow from a presentation that Grow’s Khatera did at my child’s school and I thought I would contact them. I spoke to Sheeja and straight away she said there’s a course starting – an 8-week bootcamp with JCL – and asked if I was interested. I said yes straight away, because I knew I wanted to work with children.

Before I started the course, I joined a few Grow online sessions. They really helped me. They talked about different types of work and how to choose something that suits you. That helped me decide properly that working with children is what I want to do.

Now I’m doing the 8-week Early Years course. The first two weeks were face to face, then online, and now we’re back face to face again. We’ve done things like safeguarding, legislation, and first aid training. They also help with work placements and interviews at the end.

It means if I go to a nursery or school, I already have what they are looking for.

Grow ask you during the course what you want to do next. You can go into work or continue studying, like Level 2 or Level 3. They don’t just leave you after the course, they stay with you until you’re ready. For me, I want to go into employment in a school or nursery setting.

Grow made everything easier for me. I was struggling on my own for eight months, but with Grow, from the moment I walked in, they’ve been helping me.

They check in on me, they support me, they guide me. Sheeja even said she can provide a reference for me.

I honestly regret not coming to Grow earlier. I should have come first instead of trying on my own. I’ve already recommended Grow to other mums. When they see me, they ask what I’m doing and I tell them they should join. Some of them have already started doing things through Grow as well.

My focus now is to get a job. If I can get a role in a school or nursery, I’m ready to go.

Iram Finds Direction, Confidence and Community through Grow

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Iram is a mum of three from Hounslow who had been working as a 111 Health Advisor within the NHS for many years. While she had built a long-standing career in healthcare, the role involved unsociable hours, often working evenings and early mornings, which made it difficult to balance work and family life.

At the same time, Iram experienced a serious leg injury, which required surgery and left her unable to work for several months. This period had a significant impact on her wellbeing.

“I was off for four or five months and I was quite low. I had to go back to work because otherwise I would have lost my licence, but I knew something needed to change.”

At this point, Iram attended a local job fair, where she met members of the Grow team, Saeema and Sheeja.

When Iram joined Grow, she was not only looking for employment opportunities but also time to recover, reflect and explore new options.

“I just wanted something part-time, something that worked around my children. I wanted to explore what was out there and see what I could do next.”

She was also considering a career change, with an interest in moving into a role that would better fit around her family life, such as working in a school or developing her own business.

From her first interaction with Grow, Iram describes feeling an immediate sense of belonging.

“I had an instant connection. They made me feel so welcome, like I’d known them for ages.”

Through the Grow community and sessions, Iram was able to access a wide range of support, including advice on training and career options, online workshops and information and guidance on education and support.

As part of her journey on Grow, Iram has actively engaged in learning and development to support her next steps.

Through Grow she completed a Canva course delivered by Capital City College, where she developed digital skills including:

  • Creating presentations and posters
  • Designing logos and social media content
  • Producing visual materials independently

“At the start, I didn’t know how to use Canva at all. Now I can design posters, presentations and even logos. It’s given me confidence to do things myself.”

Alongside this, Iram is currently completing a sewing course that she sourced herself through Learn Hillingdon, with plans to progress into dressmaking and explore starting her own business. She is keen to join Grow’s ‘Grow Your Own Business’ session to help her better understand and explore self employment as an option.

Iram has also expressed interest in further training, including Teaching Assistant Level 3 and Coaching and mentoring. Her approach has been to use this time to upskill and explore different pathways before moving into her next role.

Since joining Grow, Iram has experienced significant personal and practical changes from greater awareness of training and career opportunities to a clearer direction for future employment.

“I’ve learned so much. There’s so much available that I didn’t know about before such as  organisations like Smart Works who can support with interview clothes. I didn’t know support like this was out there.”

She now feels more prepared to take her next steps, whether that is employment within a school setting or developing her own business idea.

“I love being part of the Grow community. There’s just so much support available. No matter what it is, someone is there to help you.”

“It’s such an excellent platform to be part of. I’m so glad I joined.”

 

How Grow is Helping Women in Kingston Take the Next Step Towards Work

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For the past 18 months, the Grow programme, delivered by Belina Grow, has been supporting women in Kingston through the Mayor of London funded Bridge project, helping women rebuild confidence, develop skills and move closer to employment.

The work is built on strong local partnerships. Grow works closely with Kingston Jobcentre, Twickenham Jobcentre, the Family Hub at Old Malden Children’s Centre, and Kingston Council, where Cameron King, Employment and Skills Programme Lead, has helped raise awareness of the programme across the borough.

Through the council, information about Grow is shared through community newsletters and on the Kingston Council website, and the programme is also promoted through the council’s Ask Nim AI tool, helping residents find local employment and skills support.

A key part of the project is Grow’s presence at Kingston Jobcentre, where women can meet Grow Employment Adviser Iryna {pictured} face-to-face.

“I attend the Jobcentre twice a month,” explains Iryna. “Job coaches refer women to us and sometimes they receive a message in their Universal Credit journal inviting them to get in touch. Some women prefer to meet in person so they can understand what the programme is about and how we can support them.”

During these sessions, Iryna takes time to understand each woman’s background and personal circumstances.

“We talk about their experience, their skills and their situation,” she says. “From that conversation we can identify what they need next and whether they would benefit from upskilling or training before looking for work.”

Many of the women Grow supports are mums with young children who are looking for flexible or part-time roles that fit around school hours and childcare. Others are returning to work after a break or have never worked in the UK before.

Through the Bridge project, Grow helps women explore training opportunities that can help them move forward.

“A lot of women decide to start with training,” says Iryna. “For example, many are interested in working in schools because the hours work well with family life.”

Teaching Assistant courses are one of the most popular pathways, helping women understand the role and build confidence to apply for school-based jobs. Grow also supports women to access ESOL and Functional Skills courses, often delivered through local providers such as Kingston College, helping them improve their English and develop essential workplace skills.

But the support offered through Grow goes beyond training.

Grow hosts monthly sessions in Kingston, supported by Kingston Council, where women come together, introduce themselves and share their experiences.

During these sessions, Iryna and Laura work together to provide different levels of support depending on what each woman needs.

“We start by asking women to introduce themselves and talk about their situation,” Iryna explains. “They often realise that other women are facing similar barriers. When they start sharing their experiences, it helps them understand their next step.”

For some women, that next step is support to build confidence, explore training opportunities and prepare for work. Others arrive already feeling ready to start applying for jobs. We look at which support pathway is right for them.

“Some women say they want to start with courses and build their confidence first,” says Iryna. “Others say they are ready to find work immediately.”

Women who are ready to move straight into employment can be supported through Grow’s Job Brokerage service, which works with them to identify suitable roles and support them through the application process.

By working this way, Grow is able to make sure women receive the right support at the right stage of their journey.

For many of the women attending the sessions in Kingston, Grow is often the first place, as well as a safe space, where they can talk openly about their goals and challenges.

By working alongside local partners and tailoring support to each woman’s circumstances, Grow is helping more women take practical steps towards employment and independence.

Supporting Women Back into Work with SWEET

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For the past seven years, Grow has delivered the SWEET Programme, supporting women who are furthest from the labour market to rebuild confidence, develop skills and take steps towards work.

Funded by the National Lottery and now entering its 10th year, SWEET supports women across London and is delivered in partnership between Grow (Belina Consulting), PDT, and Equi-Vision.

Saeema, who has been working on the SWEET programme since 2019, says many of the women who come to Grow face a combination of barriers when trying to enter or return to work.

“Many of the women we support haven’t worked for a long time, or they’ve never worked in the UK before. Some have qualifications or experience from their home country, but they don’t know how the system works here. Others have spent years raising children and now want to return to work but don’t know where to start.”

Women are referred to SWEET through a range of community partners including schools, children’s centres, job centres, charities and local community organisations, as well as through word of mouth. Once on the programme, they receive personalised one-to-one support alongside group sessions designed to build confidence, develop skills and help them understand how to access opportunities.

“One of the biggest barriers is experience,” Saeema explains. “Employers often ask for experience, but if someone hasn’t worked here before it can be difficult to get that first opportunity.”

To help overcome this, Grow works closely with local partners to connect women with volunteering opportunities and work experience, allowing them to gain practical experience while continuing to receive support with things like CV writing, interview preparation and job searching.

“We work with organisations such as H4All, Home-Start and other community groups. Volunteering gives women the chance to gain experience while still having the support they need to move forward.”

Most women stay on the programme for between six and nine months, although support can continue longer depending on individual needs. Advisers stay in regular contact, helping women stay motivated and setting small steps that move them closer to employment.

“It’s about giving people the time and space they need,” Saeema says. “Sometimes someone just needs help understanding how to apply for a job online or how to upload their CV. Other times it’s about building confidence and helping them believe they can do it.”

The programme also includes Grow Bootcamp sessions, delivered in community settings such as schools and children’s centres. These sessions help women explore their confidence, identify barriers and think about practical solutions for moving forward.

A key strength of Grow’s approach is the lived experience within the team itself. Many of the women who work with Grow are mothers and have faced similar challenges themselves, including balancing childcare, building confidence and returning to work after a break.

Saeema often delivers parts of the Grow Bootcamp in different community languages, helping women feel comfortable and fully included in the sessions.

“When women hear someone speaking their language and understanding their situation, they open up,” she explains. “They realise they’re not alone and that there are ways forward.”

For many women, the programme is about more than just finding a job. It’s about understanding the systems around them, building confidence and gaining the skills they need to move forward independently.

“A lot of the women we meet have so much ability and experience,” Saeema says. “They just don’t always realise it themselves. Once they begin to see what they are capable of, it can really change how they move forward.”

Through personalised support, community partnerships and a deep understanding of the barriers women face, the SWEET programme continues to help women take meaningful steps into employment, volunteering and further learning, creating lasting impact for families and communities across London.

Grow Job Brokerage – Supporting women into real jobs across London

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We’re proud to be delivering the Get Ready for Work Job Brokerage, funded by the Mayor of London, supporting women across London to move into meaningful, sustainable employment.

This programme is designed for women who are ready to work, and who deserve the right support at the right moment to make that happen.

The women joining this programme are diverse. They are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. They come from a wide range of heritage backgrounds. Some are returning after long gaps. Some are changing careers. Some are balancing childcare. Some are managing health conditions or disabilities. Some are navigating the realities of settlement status and what that means for work options. They are capable and motivated and with the right support, they can move forward.

For many of the women we support, being ‘ready to work’ does not mean the journey is straightforward. Confidence may have taken knocks. Childcare arrangements can be complex. Settlement status can affect what’s financially possible. Health conditions or disability can shape what work feels sustainable. And we are regularly told that job searching can feel incredibly lonely, especially if networks are limited.

This is where the Grow Job Brokerage makes the difference.

A programme built around outcomes

The difference with this programme is focus. As Khatera, who leads engagement for the project, explains:

“This programme is very focused on jobs. We are not here just to improve confidence or run general sessions. Everything we do is about helping women find work. From the first phone call, we make sure they are ready and willing. Then the two-week intensive is about action – CVs, applications, interviews, networking, using AI properly. It’s very practical and its designed for job outcomes.”

Participants complete a two-week online intensive, followed by personalised one-to-one support and ongoing job brokerage. Mock interviews are a key part of that journey and often a turning point, as Khatera describes:

“After the mock interview, we really see a difference. We build that connection and trust. I give detailed feedback – question by question – what they said and what they could have said differently. One woman told me, ‘I’m going to print this feedback and use it for every interview.’ After that, they go into interviews differently. They feel prepared and supported and they believe they can do it.”

The reality for the women we support

Laura, who works closely with participants, delivering intensive one-to-one support and running group sessions in Kingston with support from the London Borough of Kingston’s, Cameron King and the local Jobcentre says that support from other women has an important role to play.

“Our group sessions at Kingston provides a space where women share their experiences of job searching, support one another, and realise they are not alone. They might have applied for hundreds of jobs. They might have got down to the final two out of 300 applicants and still not got it. That knocks your confidence. And if you’re a mother, or you’re navigating childcare eligibility, or you’re on a visa, the stakes feel even higher. Having someone alongside you saying ‘You’re doing well, keep going’ really matters.”

Many of the women joining the Job Brokerage have been out of work for years. Some are changing careers. Some are already working a few hours but want more stable employment. Some are managing disabilities or long-term health conditions.

One participant supported by Khatera had not worked in seven years and has now secured a part-time job of six hours a week. For someone who hasn’t worked in seven years, six hours is a beginning and provides an income, confidence, and proof that work is possible again and a great starting point to grow and develop from.

Working with employers

We are working with the Mayor of London’s Good People Jobs Board and we are also building relationships with employers, including routes into the NHS. We are particularly grateful to the Imperial Health Charity NHS Volunteering Programme who have been a tremendous support.

One of the most powerful examples of the impact of the Job Brokerage programme is a woman supported by Laura and Khatera into the NHS. She had previously done short-term roles but had never secured a stable, permanent position.

Through Job Brokerage, she strengthened her CV, prepared thoroughly for interviews, and accessed a volunteering pathway linked to NHS recruitment. Laura reflects:

“We worked intensively on her CV, not just writing it, but really thinking about her key skills and how to demonstrate them. Then we did mock interviews. When she was invited to interview, we prepared again. It wasn’t just about paperwork. It was about helping her see what she had to offer.”

She is now in a permanent NHS role, an organisation known for training, progression and long-term opportunity. A route into something sustainable.

Whilst Grow has long supported women to get ready for work, what makes this project distinctive is its intensity and its job-first focus. It is about supporting women who are close to work but stuck – and helping them secure something real.

We are proud of the women stepping forward, proud of the team delivering it, and grateful for the Mayor of London funding that enables this focused, practical support.

Mire Gains New Learning and Skills with Grow

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Since joining Grow in October 2025, Mire has been actively working to build her skills and confidence through Grow Digital and Hillingdon Adult Education. She lives in the Hillingdon area and is exploring different job options while juggling family life.

Mire said:

“I first came to Grow because someone told me there was a course at the Children’s Centre at Oak Farm in Hillingdon. I didn’t know what it was, but I went anyway. When I got there, I saw that Grow was helping people like me who have never worked in the UK, to get ready for work. I didn’t know how to make a CV or how to apply for jobs. I learned all this in the Grow Bootcamp and I really liked it.

Before I came to the UK, I worked in lots of jobs. I started working when I was 14. I worked in a clothes factory, a design company, and later trained and worked in beauty therapy. I really loved that job. But since coming here, it’s been hard. I don’t know if my certificates are recognised. Also, I have young children and my husband works full time, so it’s not easy for me to go out and work.

Grow helped me to think about my options. I still love beauty and I would love to work in that again, but the hours don’t always fit with my family. You might have to work weekends or evenings and I need to be there to pick up my children. So now I’m also thinking about working in a school, maybe as a teaching assistant or in a nursery. I have experience with children and I think I would be good at it.

The biggest challenge for me was computers. I didn’t feel confident at all using a laptop or PC. I was scared. But Grow put me on a five-week computer course. After that, I joined another course with Hillingdon Adult Education. I finished that recently and I feel much more confident now. I can go online, use forms, and I’m even think about doing more courses.

Now I want to continue learning. I’ve signed up for another computer course and I’m also interested in childcare, childminding, and maybe doing English and maths too. Grow helps me a lot. They tell me what’s available and they can support me to apply for jobs too. I’m really happy I joined Grow. It’s free and they push us to learn. That is the best thing.

Surayya Progresses from Volunteering to a Job Offer

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Surayya joined the Grow Programme just over a year ago after hearing about us through her children’s school. She has been living in the UK for three years, having moved here from India, but had never worked before. As a mum of young children, she was looking for a part-time role during school hours – but without work experience or networks, she didn’t know where to start.

When Surayya first came to Grow, she says she felt new, unsure and quite isolated. Surayya said “I didn’t know anybody here. I didn’t have a community. I just needed to meet people and understand how things work. Every job I applied for were asking for experience, but I didn’t have any. I didn’t know how to get that.”

With support from her Grow Adviser, Sheeja, she was encouraged to start with volunteering to build confidence and gain experience. Surayya emailed a local school directly and asked if she could volunteer. “They accepted me”, said Surayya.  “I started helping the teacher in the classroom. It gave me experience and helped me understand the school, the children and the teachers.”

Through volunteering, Surayya began to build experience and at the same time, she was attending Grow sessions, taking part in the Bootcamp and using the Grow app to access advice and information. “The sessions gave me confidence. I learned about interviews and how to improve myself. I didn’t know these things before.”

When an opportunity came up at the same school to work as a School Meals Supervisory Assistant (SMSA), Surayya applied. Before the interview, Sheeja arranged a mock interview for her with Grow adviser, Khatera. “We practised the questions and that helped me a lot. When the real interview came, I felt more ready.”

Surayya has now been offered the SMSA role and is waiting for her official start date. She believes that volunteering, along with the interview practice and confidence she gained through Grow, made the difference.

“It helped me a lot. I know the school now. I know the children and the atmosphere. The volunteering gave me experience and helped me get this job. Being part of Grow has helped me build my confidence, I am naturally an introvert and so being part of a community and receiving advice on how to access opportunities has been so helpful for me and its helped me take the steps myself.

“Grow know how to help mums like me to improve confidence and present ourselves in interviews. I didn’t know these things before. It’s really good.”

Pooja Kaur Builds Confidence Through Volunteering

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Pooja Kaur joined Grow two years ago after being referred by the Job Centre in Hillingdon. At the time, she was pregnant with her son and looking after her four-year-old daughter. She was out of work and looking for help, not just with employment, but with finding ways to stay active, connect with others, and access opportunities for both herself and her children.

Pooja Kaur said “I came to Grow when I was pregnant with my son. My daughter was four at the time and I was looking for help with finding support, and also something to do for myself such as activities, groups, or something for my children. I had lots of skills but didn’t have anything on my CV here and had never had a job in the UK.

Back in Afghanistan, I had learned many things through my community. Our school was in the temple and I helped teach children when the teachers couldn’t come. I’d never had the opportunity to use those skills here.

At Grow, I had one-to-one support and joined different sessions. My adviser, Sheeja, helped me find links to courses and volunteering. One of those links was to H4All who support health and wellbeing in the community, particularly for people with long-term health conditions, older people, and those who may be socially isolated. They liked my CV and my hobbies and offered me training and volunteering opportunities. I’m now a Community Champion with them and doing further training, including suicide awareness. I’ve also started volunteering with DASH, supporting disabled people with activities like painting and crafts.

In January, I attended an event with H4All and was presented with a certificate by the Mayor of Hillingdon. That meant a lot to me.

Volunteering has helped me gain confidence and reminded me what I can do. I’m still looking for the right work for me, something that fits around my family and where I can use my experience. But I feel more positive and open now and I’m doing things that matter to me and that help others too.”

 

Arjana Finds the Right Support at the Right Time

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Arjana joined Grow nearly a year ago after being referred by the Department of Work. At that time, she was facing significant personal challenges and was uncertain about her next steps.

With the support of her Grow advisor Liz and the Grow Jobs Brokerage programme, Arjana has gained confidence, found new direction, and begun to look ahead with renewed hope.

Arjana shared:

“I joined Grow nearly a year ago after being referred by the Department of Work. At that time, I was going through a challenging period and felt uncertain about my future. I had moved to the UK some years ago and had experienced the complexities of moving countries more than once. This was especially challenging as I did not speak English at all when I first arrived.

At first, I was hesitant to engage, but over time I began using the Grow app and joined a group where I saw others facing similar challenges. That helped me realise I wasn’t alone. It reminded me that we’re all human and that things don’t have to be perfect to move forward.

Liz, my advisor, has been incredibly supportive. Her positivity and encouragement helped me believe in myself. Having someone who listens without judgement made a real difference.

Before joining Grow, I had experience in cleaning, hospitality, and working in schools. Through Grow, I was able to reflect on what I truly want and realised I’d like to work in the public sector, ideally in an administrative role within a school. This would allow me to support others, find balance, and still be present for my children.

I’ve now joined the Jobs Brokerage programme and have taken part in a mock interview to prepare for a Civil Service role. The guidance I received helped me better understand how to present myself and what to expect.

Being part of Grow has helped me better understand how things work in the UK, from tailoring a CV to applying for jobs, and it’s given me renewed motivation. I’m learning that progress doesn’t need to be perfect. Change takes time, but having the right support can truly make a difference.”