Sheila Rebuilds Her Career

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Sheila lives in Hayes and joined Grow through the SWEET programme after recently moving to the UK from Kenya with her daughter to join her husband. With a background in IT consultancy, business and clinical coding, Sheila had spent several years out of work while caring for her daughter and was trying to understand how to rebuild her career in a completely new country.

Sheila said:

“Back in my country, I was an IT consultant and I also majored in business and worked in medical volunteering and clinical coding. After having my daughter, I became the primary caregiver, so I could only work from home, which meant I was very limited in the type of work I could do.”

Although Sheila had qualifications and professional experience, she found trying to return to work in the UK difficult and overwhelming.

“I have only been in the UK for five months and have been looking to return to my career as my daughter starts Reception in September. I found it challenging being new to the country and having no family or support here. I didn’t know how to go about things and adapting to another country with different systems and another culture was difficult for me.”

“Getting my career back is important to me because I wanted to rebuild myself as a woman, not just as a mother.”

Sheila joined Grow two months ago after being introduced to the programme by another participant and has since attended online sessions, employment rights workshops and motivational sessions led by the Grow team.

“Grow gave me a blueprint for how to go about rebuilding my career. I got to understand how the UK employment system works and what my options are. It was really an eye opener for me. It gave me a roadmap that I’m now following.”

One of the biggest changes for Sheila has been understanding how employment works in the UK and how to present herself professionally.

“Grow’s sessions and team members helped me to improve my CV and make it more suitable for UK standards. I now understand the application processes and feel more confident about interviews.”

“I also learned how to use the STAR method. In my country we don’t use it, so that’s something I was still learning here. I used the STAR method in my interview and this month I secured a part-time job working as a medical receptionist.”

Sheila also said the sessions helped her understand her rights at work and gave her more confidence speaking in interviews.

“Now I know my rights at work. I understand what is fair and what is not considered fair in UK workplaces.”

“The motivational sessions were also very useful. They spoke to us about interview confidence, answering questions and language barriers. It was very informative.”

Looking ahead, Sheila hopes to continue building her career within healthcare and administration.

“I’m looking for administrative posts and I also want to volunteer so I can gain one-on-one experience before moving fully back into work.”

“I really want to stay in the medical profession.”

Reflecting on her experience, Sheila believes support like Grow is especially important for women returning to work after motherhood.

“So many women lose themselves in motherhood and when you want to come back, you have no guide.”

Sheila said:

“Mothers nurture future generations, but when a mother is nurtured, the world itself is healed and aligned to accommodate that future generation.”

 

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.

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.

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.

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.”

 

Varsha Builds Confidence and Digital Skills with Grow

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Varsha came across the Grow website while searching for help to return to work. After spending over a decade volunteering and working part-time for a local yoghurt company, which later closed down, she had been out of work for two years and was ready for a new start.

“I wasn’t sure at first if Grow was right for me,” Varsha said, “but when I contacted the team, they encouraged me to come along. I’m so glad I did.”

Since joining the Grow programme in September, Varsha has taken part in a range of sessions, from CV writing and interview skills to our five-week Grow Digital course which is delivered by Learn Hillingdon for Grow participants. She says the experience has helped her gain clarity, build confidence, and connect with others in a similar situation.

“The CV session was so helpful,” she said. “There were things on my CV I’d left there for years because I didn’t know what mattered and what didn’t. Now it feels much more focused.”

Grow Digital was another turning point. While Varsha had previous experience using computers, the course helped her get to grips with tools like Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Classroom, and understand how to stay safe online. “There were a lot of things I hadn’t used before,” she said. “And I learned new things, even about how to protect my phone and manage screen time.”

The course also gave her a chance to support others in the group. “It really boosted my confidence to be able to help some of the women who were less familiar with computers,” Varsha shared. “By the end, they were logging in, filling out forms, and feeling much more independent.”

Varsha has now completed her assessment and is looking at volunteering opportunities to gain more experience before applying for part-time work. She’s still actively involved with Grow and continues to attend sessions.

“It’s been such a positive experience,” she said. “I just needed someone to guide me and Grow has done exactly that.”