Harpreet Builds New Skills and New Hope Through Grow

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Harpreet, who lives in Hillingdon, joined the Grow programme after moving to the UK from India. With support from Grow, she has completed courses including Canva and Project Management, 30 hours NHS volunteering at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, and is now applying for NHS positions while continuing to receive tailored support through Grow.

Harpreet said:

“I first heard about Grow at a jobs fair at Uxbridge College in January. I had gone there because the Jobcentre suggested I attend, as I was looking for work. When I spoke to the Grow team, they explained that they support women with education, training and employment, and I knew it was exactly the kind of help I needed.

I had qualifications from India, including a degree in Software Engineering and an MBA in IT, but I didn’t have any UK work experience. I wanted someone to help me understand what I needed to do to build my confidence and find work here.”

After discussing her goals with her Grow Adviser, Khatera, Harpreet was referred onto a range of learning opportunities that matched her ambitions.

“The first course I completed was the Canva course through Capital City College. I had never used Canva before, but I really enjoyed it. It opened my eyes to how useful it is for social media, creating designs and presentations, and it’s another skill I can now add to my CV.

After that I told Khatera that I wanted to study Project Management as well, and I have now completed that too. More recently Grow have enrolled me onto a Civil Service course to help me find opportunities in the Civil Service field. Grow understand what I’m trying to achieve, and they help me choose the right courses for my goals.”

Harpreet’s ambition has always been to work for the NHS. With Grow’s support, she completed 30 hours volunteering at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington through Grow partners, Imperial Health Charity which gave her valuable UK experience while continuing her job search.

“One of the biggest things Grow helped me with was getting into NHS volunteering. I started volunteering at St Mary’s Hospital on 1 April, and it has given me the experience and confidence I needed. I’m now applying for NHS administration jobs every day.

I completed my 30 hours of volunteering in just six weeks and was even presented with a Kind Person Award after a patient recognised my communication skills and kindness. That meant so much to me.”

Alongside training, Harpreet says the personalised support she received from the Grow team made all the difference.

“Laura helped me rewrite my CV, prepare my personal statements and practise interview questions. Even now, if I’m applying for an NHS job, I send her my application and she gives me advice. When I get an interview, she helps me prepare with mock interviews.

Because I’m new to this country, I didn’t know how to enrol on courses or what employers were looking for. Grow guided me through everything and even provided references when I needed them. Nobody had ever explained things to me like that before.”

Having experienced some difficult personal circumstances, Harpreet says Grow has supported her emotionally as well as professionally.

“Living on your own in a new country can be very difficult. There were times when I felt lonely and overwhelmed. The Grow team listened to me, encouraged me and treated me like family. They gave me emotional support as well as practical help, and that made a huge difference.”

Looking ahead, Harpreet remains focused on building a long-term career in the NHS while also exploring opportunities within the Civil Service.

“Every day I apply for NHS jobs and Civil Service roles. I’m hopeful because I now have volunteering experience, new qualifications, a much stronger CV and people who continue to support me.

*Grow has helped me so much. They didn’t just help me find courses, they believed in me, guided me and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward. I feel much more positive about my future now.”

Sarabjeet Finds Confidence and Hope for the Future with Grow

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Sarabjeet joined the Grow programme after facing difficult family circumstances that left her feeling low and unsure how to move forward. Through Grow she received guidance and practical support, rebuilt her confidence, completed courses including Preparing to Work in Schools, and is now being supported through Grow’s Job Brokerage programme as she works towards finding employment. Recently, Sarabjeet was invited to meet Nick Riddle for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), where she shared her experience of the difference Grow has made to her journey.

Sarabjeet said:

“After some family issues, I was feeling very low. My confidence had gone and I didn’t know where to start. I wasn’t working and I just wanted to get my life back on track.

My daughter’s teacher told me about Grow because she knew I wanted to build my confidence again and start working. I was also going to the Jobcentre for Universal Credit and they referred me too. Joining Grow has made a huge difference to me.”

Before coming to Grow, Sarabjeet had worked in retail, residential care and school catering. Although she had lots of experience, she struggled to secure interviews and didn’t understand why.

“I had the same CV that I showed at the Jobcentre but when I joined Grow, Sheeja sat down with me and showed me step by step how to improve it. She explained transferable skills and how to tailor my CV for different jobs. Before that I had applied for hundreds of jobs without even being shortlisted.”

Over the past year Sarabjeet has attended workshops, seminars, completed training and gained work experience through the SWEET programme.

“The workshops taught me so much. I learned about rights to work, employment, schools and lots of different careers. I completed more education and I feel like a completely different person now.

Grow isn’t just about courses. They really get to know you. They understand what you need and support you as a person.”

Sarabjeet is now working with the Grow Job Brokerage team, where she receives one-to-one support with applications and interview preparation.

“Laura, Saeema and Khatera have helped me prepare for interviews and showed me things I had never thought about before, like eye contact, how to answer questions and how to complete application forms properly. One evening an application was about to close and Khatera stayed online helping me complete it. They always make time for you.”

Although her long-term ambition is to work for the NHS, Sarabjeet is applying for every suitable opportunity to gain employment and continue building her career.

“My dream job is to work for the NHS one day, but right now I’m applying for all kinds of jobs because I want to get back into work. I know I’m ready now. I have the confidence, the knowledge and the support around me. I’m just waiting for the right opportunity.”

Earlier this week Sarabjeet was invited to meet Nick Riddle from the Department for Work and Pensions, who visited Grow to hear directly from women about their experiences of employment support.

“Nick wanted to know what the difference was between the Jobcentre and Grow. I told him the Jobcentre helped me with Universal Credit, but Grow gave me personalised support. They listened to me, understood what I needed and helped me every step of the way.

People come through the door carrying so much that you can’t always see. Grow understands that. They encourage you, they build you up and they never make you feel like you’re on your own.”

Looking back on her journey, Sarabjeet says the biggest change has been in herself.

“Before Grow I cried all the time and didn’t believe in myself. Now I feel confident. I know what I want to do and I know I have people around me who believe in me.

*I honestly feel Grow has changed my life. The team are amazing. They are always there when you need them. I really hope more women hear about Grow because it can make such a difference. It certainly did for me.”

Kelly Finds a New Direction in Healthcare Through Volunteering

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After a difficult year that included homelessness, temporary accommodation and a serious accident, Kelly is now taking positive steps towards a career in healthcare after completing 30 hours of volunteering with Imperial Health Charity at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.

Kelly first came across Grow through a conversation at a local food bank, where one of the volunteers suggested she speak to Grow’s Iryna about the support available.

“One of the ladies that runs the food bank thought Grow might be something I would be interested in. Then Iryna invited me to a meeting in Kingston where Grow is based.

I went along to the meeting and they were talking about what Grow is about, what they do and the different courses you can go on to get trained up to get into work. I was really interested in the healthcare course and getting into work in healthcare.”

At the time, Kelly was trying to rebuild her life after a particularly challenging period.

“I’ve had the year from hell. My son and I were made homeless. I had an accident and ended up in hospital. We’ve had about five different temporary accommodations in the past year and just getting moved about so much. My mum also died three months ago, which was another traumatic event I was going through. I’m just desperate to get into work now and I’m really passionate about getting a job.”

Although Kelly had spent much of her career working in hospitality, she had always been interested in healthcare but never thought it was a realistic option.

“I’ve always been interested in it, but because I haven’t been to uni or done anything at college to do with healthcare, I didn’t think it was possible. I didn’t really know about it until I got in touch with Grow.”

Through Grow, Kelly was introduced to Imperial Health Charity’s volunteering programme and successfully secured a placement at St Mary’s Hospital. During her placement she has been shadowing healthcare assistants, learning about different roles and gaining valuable experience in a healthcare environment.

To secure her volunteering placement, Kelly attended a group interview organised by Imperial Health Charity. Participants were given scenarios to discuss and work through together. Kelly believes her response helped her stand out and led to her being selected for the placement.

Throughout her placement, Kelly received support from her Work Coach, Maryam, at Imperial Health Charity, who helped her recognise the skills and experience she already had and how they could transfer into a healthcare role.

“Maryam’s taught me that everything that I’ve done in my life is a transferable skill for the healthcare position.

I’ve got my hospitality experience, which is a transferable skill. I’ve also done four years in beauty therapy college studying anatomy, physiology and health and safety.

I’m a very empathetic person. I love helping people and it’s just something that I really want to do.”

Alongside her volunteering placement, Kelly continues to receive support from both her Work Coach at Imperial Health Charity and the Grow team.

Having spent many years in employment without needing to search and apply for jobs online, Kelly says that digital skills remain one of her biggest challenges.

“I haven’t had to look for a job for 30 years. I’ve always just walked into work and I really need help doing stuff online.”

Grow is continuing to support Kelly with her confidence, job search and digital skills so that she can take the next step towards employment.

Now that she has completed her volunteering hours, Kelly plans to continue volunteering while she applies for healthcare roles.

“I’ve spoken to my Work Coach at Imperial Health Charity and told them I’m going to carry on volunteering until I get a job because I don’t want to distance myself from the environment.”

Volunteering has provided much more than work experience for Kelly. It has helped her discover a new career direction, recognise the value of her existing skills and build confidence about what comes next.

With support from Grow and Imperial Health Charity, she is now looking forward to turning that experience into employment.

More Than 270 Women Build Confidence, Skills and New Opportunities Through Grow Digital

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More than 270 women across Leicester have developed new digital skills, explored Artificial Intelligence (AI) and gained confidence in using technology through the Grow Digital AI for Women programme, delivered by Grow and funded through AKG UK’s Community Investment Fund.

Working alongside trusted community organisations including Shama Women’s Centre, Peepul Centre, APANPAN CIC, Wesley Hall Community Centre and others, the programme was designed to make AI accessible, practical and relevant to everyday life.

For many participants, this wasn’t just about learning a new technology. It was about building confidence, discovering new opportunities and developing skills that can support work, learning and family life.

The achievements of participants were recently celebrated at the Grow Digital Celebration Event in Leicester, where women, community partners and supporters came together to recognise the impact the programme has made.

From Uncertainty to Confidence

Many women joined the programme feeling unsure about AI and whether it was something they could use.

Fathima, who attended Grow Digital workshops hosted at Shama Women’s Centre, admitted she was initially sceptical.

“I was someone who was quite reluctant to use it. I used to think people are becoming lazy.”

After attending the sessions, her view changed completely.

“When I went, I realised it’s not someone who’s lazy who uses it, it’s someone who’s smart. If you take advantage of it, it can work to your advantage. It can actually help in your personal as well as your professional development.”

She described the programme as:

“Really like an eye-opener.”

For many participants, AI went from being something unfamiliar and intimidating to a practical tool they could use every day.

Practical Skills for Everyday Life

One of the strengths of the programme was its focus on real-life applications.

Participants learned how AI could support job searching, CV writing, communication, planning, language learning, online safety and even helping children with their homework.

Fathima particularly valued how practical the sessions were.

“I really enjoyed how the Kaneez made it practical to every person’s need. For someone who’s looking for a job, someone who wants to cook, someone who wants to learn a language, or someone who doesn’t speak much English.”

As a mother of two young children, she was surprised by how AI could support learning at home.

“She showed us how AI can help teach Year 1 and Year 2 children about addition like a teacher.”

Participants also learned how to use AI safely and effectively, understanding both its benefits and limitations.

“Use it to your advantage but don’t let it use you.”

That message became one of the key themes of the programme.

Supporting Women Into Work

The programme also helped women strengthen their employability skills and digital confidence.

Shital, who joined a Grow Digital workshop through the Peepul Centre, had previously completed a degree in Computer Engineering in India but wanted to understand how new technologies were being used in the UK.

She said:

“Nowadays in everything, you need AI.”

The workshops helped participants understand how AI could support job applications, improve writing skills and build confidence using digital tools.

Fathima, who was made redundant earlier this year, found the sessions particularly useful while updating her CV and searching for work.

“I liked how I could use my transferable skills as a mum, take the knowledge and expertise from other fields and apply it to the job that I’m applying for.”

For many women, the programme provided an opportunity to develop skills that are becoming increasingly important in today’s workplace.

The Power of Community Partnerships

A key factor in the success of Grow Digital was the collaboration between Grow and trusted community organisations across Leicester. By working with organisations that already had strong relationships within their communities, the programme was able to reach women who may not otherwise have engaged with digital skills training.

Reflecting on the partnership, Aura Chacón, Active Women Coordinator, said:

“Through the collaboration with Grow Get Ready for Work we were able to upskill participants who took part in the AI Workshop. We place high value in partnership working, bringing resources and expertise to the Active Women project from organisations such as yours, which plays a crucial part in our commitment to sustainability and community development.”

She added:

“Kaneez was able to engage genuinely with the women and made a long-lasting impression for them to continue their personal development and make the most of the AI technology available to them.”

Kaneez Fatima MIEP, who delivered the programme on behalf of Grow, said:

“This achievement would not have been possible without the support, trust and collaboration of our community partners.”

“The Grow project delivered by Belina Grow CIC and funded by AKG UK has truly made a positive difference in many lives.”

The impact of the programme was celebrated at the Grow Digital Celebration Event in Leicester, where participants, partners and supporters came together to recognise the achievements of more than 270 women who took part.

Speaking after the event, Joanne Van AIEP, Social Impact Manager at AKG UK, said:

“It was a wonderful event, a real celebration. Thank you for the amazing work you have done on this project.”

Partners consistently highlighted the enthusiasm of participants and the supportive learning environment created through the programme. One community partner described seeing women move:

“From hesitation around technology to confidence and practical use of AI in their everyday work.”

Another reflected:

“The energy in the room, the conversations and the willingness to learn was amazing.”

As one partner summed up following an AI workshop:

“We gathered to connect, share and grow, enjoying useful AI sessions, meaningful conversations and so much love in the room. It was a space to uplift one another, learn together and simply be present.”

Celebrating Success

The Grow Digital Celebration Event brought together participants, community leaders, partners and supporters to recognise the achievements of women who completed the programme.

Hosted by Shama Women’s Centre, the event celebrated not only the women who had gained new digital skills, but also the partnerships that helped make the project possible.

Attendees included representatives from AKG UK, community organisations, local leaders and programme supporters who came together to celebrate the impact Grow Digital has made across Leicester.

Looking Ahead

As technology continues to evolve, digital confidence is becoming increasingly important in everyday life and work.

The Grow Digital AI for Women programme has shown that with the right support, women from all backgrounds can build confidence, learn new skills and embrace technology in ways that work for them.

For more than 270 women, the programme was about much more than AI. It was about confidence and opportunity and ensuring that women have the skills, knowledge and support they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

 

How Grow Digital Changed Fathima’s View of AI

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When Fathima joined the Grow Digital AI workshops in Leicester, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

Delivered by Grow and funded through AKG UK’s Community Investment Fund, the programme was designed to help women build confidence in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and understand how digital tools can support everyday life, learning and employment. The workshops were hosted at Shama Women’s Centre and brought together women from across the local community to explore AI in a practical and accessible way.

Like many people, Fathima had heard a lot about AI but wasn’t convinced it was something she needed.

“I was someone who was quite reluctant to use it. I used to think people are becoming lazy. They don’t want to put in the hard work. They’re trying to have a shortcut doing CVs or personal statements.”

After receiving information about the workshops through Shama Women’s Centre, Fathima decided to give it a try.

“I thought, OK, I haven’t looked into it, I haven’t used it, so I’ll go and see what it’s all about.”

What she discovered completely changed her perspective.

“When I went, I realised it’s not someone who’s lazy who uses it, it’s someone who’s smart. If you take advantage of it, it can work to your advantage. It can actually help in your personal as well as your professional development.”

Fathima particularly appreciated the practical approach taken during the sessions.

“I liked when Kaneez said, ‘Use it to your advantage but don’t let it use you.'”

She explained that the workshops helped her understand both the benefits and limitations of AI.

“It only does what you instruct. It’s as clever as what you ask.”

As someone currently looking for work after being made redundant in January, Fathima found the sessions especially useful when updating her CV and applying for jobs.

“I haven’t had to use a CV for some time. Now when I had to update it, I liked how I could use my transferable skills as a mum, take the knowledge and expertise from other fields and apply it to the job that I’m applying for.”

The workshops also introduced her to practical tools she can use every day.

“She makes it very simple. Don’t overcomplicate it. Just give a key instruction about what you want.”

One example that particularly stood out was using AI to help plan meals.

“If you’re lost with ideas about what to do, just tell it what you’ve got in the fridge and ask AI to suggest a menu for the day.”

For Fathima, one of the biggest surprises was discovering just how many different ways AI can be used.

“I really enjoyed how Grow’s Kaneez made it practical to every person’s need. For someone who’s looking for a job, someone who wants to cook, someone who wants to learn a language, or someone who doesn’t speak much English.”

As a mother of two young children, she can also see how AI could help support learning at home.

“I’ve got young kids. My youngest is six and I have a nine-year-old. Kaneez showed us how AI can help teach Year 1 and Year 2 children about addition like a teacher.”

Looking back on the experience, Fathima describes the workshops as an eye-opener.

“I was so wrong. I think it’s a smart way to do things, but we should always make sure that we are in control and that we use it wisely.”

She added:

“I found it really like an eye-opener.”

Earlier this week, Fathima attended the Grow Digital Celebration Event in Leicester, where participants came together to celebrate their achievements and receive certificates recognising their learning.

Fathima was one of more than 270 women who took part in the Grow Digital AI for Women programme. Through Grow’s partnership with community organisations across Leicester and Leicestershire, the programme has helped women build digital confidence, develop new skills and explore practical ways of using AI in everyday life, learning and work.

 

Sonal Secures Her First UK Job with Support from Grow

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Sonal lives in Hayes and joined Grow after moving to the UK from India. With a strong academic background, including a Master’s degree and PhD, and previous experience working as an Assistant Professor in a college in India, Sonal was keen to rebuild her career in education after taking time out of work to care for her child. However, arriving in a new country and trying to understand the UK job market proved challenging.

Sonal said:

“When I came to Grow, I was not aware of the UK job market and I was struggling to find the correct way to apply for jobs. I didn’t know the right platforms to use or what the requirements were to find a job in the UK because I was new here.”

“I also had a long career break, really a seven-year gap, so Grow helped me to gain motivation again and supported me to gain the confidence to restart my career journey.”

Sonal first heard about Grow through a friend who was already connected with the programme. Since joining Grow, Sonal has attended online sessions covering CV writing, interview preparation, motivation and understanding the UK workplace.

“I attended lots of seminars, online courses and sessions about how to make a CV, how to present yourself in interviews, what kind of jobs are available in the market and how you can start your journey again.”
Grow also encouraged Sonal to complete a Level 2 course in Understanding Support Work in Schools and Colleges through Learn Hillingdon while she was searching for work.

“Although I already had qualifications from my country, I was totally new to the UK education system and didn’t know how things worked here. From the course I also learned about British values, safeguarding and many more things.”

Sonal also attended Grow interview preparation sessions, which she says helped her feel more prepared and professional during interviews.

“I learned how to introduce myself by doing mock interviews with Grow, how to present myself and what I should and shouldn’t say during interviews.”

With support from Grow, Sonal began applying for jobs through platforms including LinkedIn and Indeed and gradually became more confident applying for education-based roles.

“Before joining Grow, I had applied for many jobs through Indeed but I didn’t get anything. After joining Grow, especially after doing the course from Learn Hillingdon, I became more confident applying for roles in schools and colleges because I always wanted to work in the education sector and I felt better prepared.”
After a year out of work in the UK, Sonal has now secured a role as an Associate Lecturer at the London Academy for Applied Technology.

“It has been almost a year looking for work, so this is a big achievement for me. This will be my first job in the UK. I am happy I joined Grow as they really helped me to regain my confidence again and help give me the advice and guidance I needed.”

Anjali Builds Confidence Using AI Safely

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Anjali joined a resilience-building programme at the Peepul Centre in Leicester as part of her journey towards rebuilding confidence and moving forward positively. As part of the programme, participants were invited to attend a one-day Grow Digital AI workshop delivered by Grow Employment Adviser, Kaneez Fatima MIEP.

Unlike some participants, Anjali had already used AI tools before attending the session. She regularly used Gemini on her Samsung phone and described how she would often “talk to Gemini like a friend.” However, despite already feeling comfortable using AI, the workshop helped her understand how to use it more safely and effectively.

“One of the most helpful things I learned was not to share personal details like your birth date or private information with AI,” Anjali explained. “Before the workshop, I didn’t realise that. It really helped me understand how to use AI safely.”

The workshop also gave Anjali a better understanding of how prompts work and how giving clearer instructions can improve the quality of responses generated by AI tools.

“Before, I didn’t really know how much detail to include when asking questions,” she said. “Now I understand how to explain properly what I want and refine my prompts so I can get more accurate answers.”

Since attending the workshop, Anjali says she feels much more confident using AI tools in everyday life and during learning. She now regularly uses Gemini and Microsoft Copilot to help her understand information, solve problems and support her studies.

As part of a Mental Health Awareness course she is currently undertaking, Anjali has also used AI to help generate ideas and responses to tasks and activities.

“They would sometimes ask us to create different answers instead of everyone having the same response,” she said. “So I learned how to ask AI for something more specific or more original.”

Anjali said learning alongside other women on the resilience programme made the experience even more valuable.

“It was really nice being part of a group where women could share experiences and learn together,” she said. “Some women had never used AI before, so it helped them understand how to start using it in normal everyday life.”

She also praised Kaneez’s supportive approach during the workshop.

“She explained everything really clearly and answered everyone’s questions nicely,” Anjali added.

The Grow Digital AI sessions aim to help women build digital confidence and learn practical ways AI can support everyday life, learning and future opportunities while also understanding how to use these tools safely and responsibly.

Nisha’s Journey Back into Work

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Nisha joined Grow after spending nearly three years out of work while raising her family. Through Grow’s Job Brokerage support, she received help with her CV, interview preparation and job search, and has now secured a term-time role that fits around her children, as a kitchen assistant in a primary school.

Finding a way back to work

Before joining Grow, Nisha was actively applying for jobs but not getting results. Nisha said:

“My situation was very bad, I was desperately looking for work, I needed some financial stability… I was volunteering in a primary school… but I wasn’t hearing anything back.”

Her situation was shaped by her responsibilities at home.

“Timing, as a mother of two, was very difficult. Getting a job that fits within school hours is really tough… I didn’t have the option of someone picking up or dropping off my kids.  I am a mother of twin boys, both with special needs… I am the main carer for my boys, so although I was applying for different jobs, I found it very hard.”

Being out of work for a long period also made things harder.

“You don’t know where to start or how to approach things. There was a lack of support, low confidence, and limited employability skills.”

Getting support through Grow

Nisha came across Grow through a session at her children’s school.

“They came to my children’s school… she told me that they have a project helping mothers find a job, and I thought what can be better than this. I showed interest and my journey started with them.”

Through the Job Brokerage support, she began working on her applications and preparing for interviews.

“Grow helped me create my CV, and I think that was the reason I was being shortlisted for interviews.”

“I also had a mock interview… I learned how to answer questions and how to prepare… I received detailed feedback and every time I had an interview, I would read through the feedback.”

She also had ongoing one-to-one support.

“The one-to-one support was just amazing. I knew that if I got stuck, I had somewhere to go and someone to ask.”

Building confidence and skills

One of the key changes for Nisha was feeling more prepared and able to present herself.

“At that time, if someone asked me, ‘What do you do?’ I would say, ‘I’m a mother of two.’ That was my identity. Now, I feel more confident in how I present myself. I’ve learned how to talk about my skills and experience clearly and confidently.”

She also felt more supported in managing applications and interviews.

“My advisor was always there for me… I could talk about my applications… that was the most valuable support I received.”

Moving into work

Nisha has now secured a role as a kitchen assistant in a primary school.

“My role mainly involves preparing food, serving meals to the children, and supporting during lunchtime… and helping with general day-to-day duties.”

The role works around her family, which was a key priority.

“This job has given me exactly what I was seeking, balancing my family responsibilities while working.”

What has changed

Having a job has brought both stability and independence.

“I feel great. I’m working and managing my own life. I don’t have to ask anyone for help, and I’m now financially independent.”

She also describes the wider impact on her confidence and wellbeing.

“Working outside has given me more confidence in talking to people and learning new skills.”

Looking ahead

Nisha now feels more positive about her future and the opportunities ahead.

“I feel more positive about the future… as my circumstances change, I can see more opportunities opening up for me.”

Ruth Finds Confidence Again with Grow

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Ruth joined Grow in Kingston after taking a career break to raise her family and trying to return to work on her own. With a background in engineering and a newly completed AAT Level 2 qualification, she was looking to move into finance but wasn’t seeing success in her job search.

“I took a career break to raise my kids. About last year, I thought, you know what, let me start trying to get back into work. I began applying, but because I wanted a career change from engineering into finance, I wasn’t being successful.”

“I have a friend who told me about Grow and said I could give it a go. I just took a chance and went into the Guildhall. I spoke to Grow’s Employment Adviser Iryna, and that’s how I came in. I’ve been a part of them since then.”

Through Grow’s Job Brokerage support, Ruth received practical help with her CV, applications and interview preparation.

“Grow looked at my CV with me and helped to polish it up. They also did mock interviews and gave me sites to go to apply for jobs. They’ve been advising me on where to apply, helping with my CV, giving feedback and talking about what is needed in an interview. That has been really helpful.”

“I meet regularly with my mentor. If I have an interview and it’s gone wrong, we discuss what has gone wrong. Every response I get from applications, we talk about it. Grow also run sessions about how to make your CV stronger and how to be more confident.”

For Ruth, one of the most important things about Grow was being supported by women who understood her situation.

“They are women like me and they have children as well, so they’ve been through what I’ve been through. You feel like you’re on the same page with them. They understand childcare and work-life balance. That’s what I’ve loved about Grow.”

Although Ruth is still looking for work, she feels much more confident and clearer about her next steps.

“I feel more confident in my search. I know where to look and what to look out for, and that has been because of Grow.”

She also feels better prepared to talk about her career break and change in direction.

“They have told me how to address the career gap and how to talk about what I’ve done during that time. They’ve helped me see that it’s OK and that many people go through this.  It has been very positive being part of Grow, they make you feel as though we have these challenges but we can still get over them and find ways around them”.

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.