Nimra Gets Ready For Work with GRoW

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Nimra is a mother of a 5-month-old baby boy and a 3-year-old daughter and came to the GRoW Programme in Leicester looking for support on her journey into work in the UK. After moving from Pakistan 5 years ago, Nimra has focused on her life as a mother but after seeing an advert about the ways GRoW support women to get ready for work, came and met with the team for guidance.

Nimra said “I previously worked in teaching in Pakistan but since moving to the UK I have been bringing up my children and life has been very busy. I am a member of some community groups in my local area and they introduced me to GRoW and I was immediately intrigued as to how they could help me in looking at job opportunities. As I have young children I am only really in a position to work at home and I was interested in exploring this. I met with GRoW”s adviser, Zoiya, at Highfields Library and she explained that this is what GRoW specialises in – supporting women into work and helping them through personalised support, including CV writing and looking at job prospects that suit me and my circumstances.

I explained that I had a background in teaching and that I love working with children and I realised that this is a goal I could pursue. I am also interested in accounting and so am considering this as a possible career too.

I haven’t had any work experience in the UK as yet but I am really keen to explore opportunities and even though I have my young children I am interested in finding a part time position that I could do from home.  I feel that working from home at the moment would work well for me as I can build up my experience while I’m getting ready to find a full time career when my family circumstances allow me to work more hours.

Being part of GRoW has been a great insight for me to learn what I need to do to start getting ready to work, especially as it has been a nurturing and supportive environment. I’ve spoken to lots of members of the GRoW Team, Liz, Zoiya and Kaneez especially and all have been so friendly and happy to help me. I was so proud to receive my GRoW graduation certificate at the celebratory event a few weeks ago and it has really boosted my confidence and motivation for the future.

My journey with GRoW is just beginning but despite the challenges of balancing my family responsibilities with work, I am eager to explore training opportunities that will help me prepare myself for work, especially in roles related to working in a school or childcare.

I am looking forward the opportunities that lie ahead and grateful for the support I’ve received from GRoW.

Rhiya Gets Support Through GRoW Community Partnerships

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Rhiya was introduced to the GRoW Programme through her Housing Association, Belgrave. As a single parent to a child now in full-time school Rhiya was seeking support and guidance to get into work, with a particular interest in admin or working in schools. Through the partnership networks fostered through GRoW’s work in the community, Rhiya is now looking forward to starting a Level 3 childcare course with the aim of receiving the necessary skills, knowledge and qualifications to secure work as a teaching assistant.

Rhiya said “I had previously completed a Prince’s Trust Qualification, ‘Getting into Admin’, and was keen to find part-time work either in this field or working in a school as the hours would suit my family needs better. I had some volunteering experience working in a nursery and school but had not done paid work before. When Belgrave introduced me to GRoW I didn’t know what to expect at first, but I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and encouragement I received from the staff. They listened to my goals and aspirations and guided me towards the opportunities that best suited my interests and circumstances.

My journey with GRoW began with a series of sessions in March and they have encouraged me to enrol on a safeguarding course that will help me with my plans for working in a school. One of the most valuable aspects of my experience with GRoW was the opportunity to attend their graduation ceremony. It was a chance to celebrate not only my achievements but also to network with other women in similar situations. I even had the opportunity to connect with other community groups and potential employers, which gave me hope for the future. I was introduced to the Shama Women’s Centre who GRoW partner with and it was great to be put in touch with them as they have offered to help support me with my job search. They invited me to their Job Club today which I visited and after learning about my goals they put my name forward for a Childcare Course which starts at Level 1 and then progresses through Level 3 to Level 3 if I wish to do it. The course sounds great as it also offers Work Experience.

GRoW’s support, both in person and through the GRoW app has been invaluable as I’ve been able to explore various job opportunities and gain insights into the job market.

It’s been a great experience and I’m very grateful for all the support they’ve given me and for also connecting me with their partners. I’m really looking forward to starting the new courses and pursuing my dreams.

 

3 Updates in April Set to Boost Wages, Job Flexibility, and Childcare

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April has brought forth several noteworthy developments initiated by the UK government, aiming to improve the lives of individuals and families across the nation. Here are three key updates you should know about:

1. Minimum Wage Increased to £11.44: Starting from April 1st, the UK government has raised the minimum wage to £11.44 per hour, a 9.8% increase on 2023’s rate. This adjustment seeks to address income inequality and provide workers with better financial security.

2. Flexible Working Available from Day One: In a move to accommodate the changing needs of the workforce, the government has introduced a policy requiring employers to offer flexible working arrangements from the first day of employment. This change acknowledges the importance of work-life balance and empowers employees to manage their professional and personal responsibilities more effectively.

3. 15 Hours of Childcare Now Available to Working Parents of Two-Year-Olds: Working parents of two-year-olds can now benefit from 15 hours of free childcare per week. This expansion of childcare provision aims to support families and ensure that children receive quality early education and care.

If you have any questions about any of these new measures, we are here to help. just drop us a line at info@belinagrow.co.uk

Introducing Om Yoga with Shilpa Pandit

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GRoW are delighted to announce that qualified Yoga Instructor Shilpa Pandit will be running a series of free online Yoga Sessions for our GRoW Community Members!

GRoW were introduced to Shilpa at the Belgrave Centre in Leicester where we were running our GRoW Bootcamp sessions focussing on confidence, motivation, goals and action.

Shilpa is a dedicated advocate for well-being and has overcome her own mental health battles and is now determined to share the benefits of yoga. Shilpa told us all about her new Yoga Studio that she is developing and we wanted to be the first to make this available to our GRoW participants!

Shilpa’s journey began three years ago when she turned to yoga to cope with post-natal depression, panic attacks, and stress. She found an online yoga community and studied for 6-8 hours every evening. The practice became her sanctuary, prompting her to train rigorously, become qualified and eventually start teaching.

Shilpa has been running her own sessions as a volunteer with an online yoga group, teaching participants across the UK and in Italy. She has now taken her first steps to setting up her own business – Om Yoga with Shilpa Pandit – and GRoW are delighted to be able to sponsor a range of sessions to bring the benefits of yoga to our participants.

Shipa said “Om Yoga offers accessible classes online, fostering a supportive environment that creates opportunities to improve your mental wellbeing and physical health. With reflexology, yoga poses, and meditation, I will guide my students on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace. I am grateful to GRoW for their support and look forward to working with the GRoW community to bring them the transformative power of yoga.”

Look out for details of our upcoming Yoga sessions with Shilpa in the GRoW Bulletin and on the GRoW App!

Overcoming Barriers: Nandhini’s Journey with the GRoW Programme

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Following her move to the UK from India a year ago, Nandhini is looking to re-establish her career and looking for opportunities to work in a school which will allow her to fit her working hours around her young son. She has been an active and engaged member of the GRoW Programme, taking part in the recent Preparing to Work in Schools Workshop, undertaking relevant training and improving her interview skills.

Nandhini said, “I moved to the UK in March 2023 and have had a 6-year career break since having my son. Before that I had a job working in design for an automobile company. Getting back to work now my son is at school is a priority for me but I want to have the right job that fits around my family.

I heard about the GRoW Programme through my son’s school, West Drayton Academy in Hillingdon. GRoW has offered many opportunities for me to develop myself and I really feel I have grown, especially in my confidence. English is my second language and a priority for me is to improve my language skills. This is something my Adviser, Saeema has been working to help me with and I have enrolled on a Daily Steps ESOL course to improve my English language proficiency.

My second priority is to work on gaining the relevant skills and experience to help me get a job in a school. As well as GRoW’s Preparing to Work in Schools Workshop I have taken part in Audrey Bodman’s Interview Skills course and I have also completed courses in Early Years Teaching and Childcare. Saeema has now put me forward for Safeguarding and Data Protection courses that will help me even more. I am also seeking opportunities to gain practical experience through volunteering at a local school.

I have also found lots of support through the GRoW App. It’s given me many insights into things like interview techniques, job postings and relevant events within my community. I attended the International Women’s Day event at the Beck Theatre in Hillingdon this week which was so inspiring and motivated me further to achieve my goals.

Community support and mentoring have played an important role in my journey to getting ready for work and overcoming barriers I have to get a job. I feel like I have had lots of encouragement from GRoW, especially from Saeema and also sharing experiences with the other ladies in the GRoW Community has been fantastic.

I feel really determined to keep working hard to achieve my goals and am grateful to GRoW for their help in supporting me on this journey.

Sindushar Starts her Journey back to work

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Sindushar came to the GRoW Programme in Hillingdon in January 2024, looking for support to find her first job since moving to the UK 18 months ago. With a young daughter, Sindushar felt destined to be a stay at home mum but with GRoW’s support she is now feeling confident about her journey back to work and is looking forward to a new start.

Sindushar said “I came to the GRoW Programme at West Drayton School in Hillingdon and I’m so glad I took that first step. I haven’t lived in the UK for very long, just 1.5 years, and my daughter was only 5 years old when I moved here with my family. Back in my home country I had the support of my family and friends around me so I was able to work. I had a job working as a software tester in an IT company. Even though I had thought about going back to work I found the prospect very daunting. I was worried about how I would balance work with looking after my daughter and I felt destined to continue being a stay-at-home mum for the foreseeable future. However, thanks to the support and guidance of GRoW, I’m now feeling confident and ready to embark on a new chapter in my life.

GRoW introduced me to lots of opportunities and resources like the GRoW app that has information all tailored to mums like me – in fact it was GRoW’s tagline ‘We help women in to work’ that first got my attention.  On joining the programme I was faced with the dilemma of whether to continue in the same field of work as before or explore new opportunities that might be easier to balance with my responsibilities as a mother. GRoW helped me realise that there are plenty of part-time job options available that fit around my child’s school schedule.

The GRoW workshops provided so much support in building my confidence. We did lots of group work with other women which really helped. It’s a very supportive environment. Taking a break from work for a year and a half had left me feeling unsure of myself, but through various activities and exercises, I rediscovered my self-assurance. I learned to set goals and think about a future where I could balance work and family life and also do something just for me.

One particular workshop on interview skills, led by Audrey Bodman, was especially interesting. As someone who hadn’t taken part in video call interviews and was very apprehensive, Audrey’s advice and guidance was amazing. I received lots of practical tips and now feel much more sure of how to present myself confidently in online interviews.

Since being part of the GRoW Programme, I’ve been to a few interviews and feel much more optimistic about getting a job. The programme has helped me feel confident that I will find the right career path to suit my goals but also my responsibilities. My next task is to update my CV and then I’m ready to job search!”

 

Michelle Celebrates Sixth Work Anniversary with Belina GRoW

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Employment Adviser, Michelle Grenada-Bryan is celebrating a significant milestone – her sixth work anniversary with GRoW! Michelle started as a participant with the GRoW Programme in 2018 when she was looking to return to work after her youngest child started full-time school. She is a vital member of the GRoW team and has evolved within the team to provide more specialist support for neurodiverse people and those with higher support needs.

Michelle said “I was first introduced to GRoW through my son’s school where Director Liz Sewell was running the GRoW Programme. It came at a time when I was looking to go back to work but was unsure where to begin and I needed some support.  Liz offered me a position within the team to develop GRoW participant relationships and book appointments which quickly expanded to working directly with participants to provide employability support and assisting them with researching job opportunities. It was a part-time position which offered me the flexibility to take on an additional role at the school as an SMSA.

Over my six years with GRoW I’ve continued my professional growth, combining my role with a permanent SMSA/1:1 SEN Learning Support Assistant position. This role has deepened my understanding of supporting people with more complex needs, which I also apply to my work with GRoW in collaborating with 3SC to assist neurodiverse individuals and those with learning disabilities through the Access to Work programme. It’s a really interesting job and so rewarding to be able to help people to overcome barriers and challenges that helps them to stay in work and feel more confident

GRoW has developed so much over the past six years with the different regions we work in and also through the range of events and specialised content we provide.  One thing never changes though and that is that we like to do things differently. We know that life is not just about work. We all wear many hats throughout our lives and for a lot of the women we support it isn’t just about “I’ve got to find a job”, it’s “I’ve got other things going on”; “I’ve got a family”; “I’ve got caring commitments” etc. We understand and we approach things from a holistic point of view. When women find the right employment they tend to stay there for a longer period of time and they are extremely committed. At GRoW we have a delicate yet highly motivational approach that hits the mark and 100% of the people that come through the programme truly achieve something from it, whether it is finding a job, getting a qualification, developing an effective CV or building their confidence and motivation. Everyone gets something out of it to suit their circumstances.

I have learned so much over the past six years but one of the most important things I have learned is to take advantage of any, and all opportunities that come your way as you never know where it might lead. Six years ago I knew what I wanted to do but I didn’t know how to get there. It’s being part of GRoW that has led me to do the different things I am doing now and my journey is still continuing so watch this space!”

Shirin’s Steps to Self-Employment

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Mother of one Shirin came to the GRoW Your Own Business Workshop at the Shama Women’s Centre in Leicester, looking for information and advice to help her follow her dreams to develop her beauty business,  Jamilla’s Beauty, so that she can better work around her family.

Shirin said; “I want and need to work but find the regular 9-to-5 routine doesn’t quite fit with being a mum and with a 7 year old daughter and my skills as a Beauty Therapist I was thinking more about the idea of developing my own beauty business from home. I found out about the GRoW Your Own Business workshop from Wesley Community Centre so went along to the Shama Women’s Centre to find out more.

Mercedes Grant, our tutor, covered a lot of ground, from taxes to CV writing and preparing a business plan. Mercedes was really good at breaking things down so you understand exactly what you need to do so it’s not too overwhelming. She explains it all in such a way that you can approach it in a systematic way, almost like a roadmap. I had thought about starting a business before, but having someone guide you through it and offer some motivation is different. It’s less stressful when you realise things aren’t as complicated as they seem, especially if you take it one step at a time. As well as the workshops, Mercedes also gave us access to the GRoW App which has lots of information in one place which is really handy.

I’m currently developing Jamilla’s Beauty and doing some admin work as an Activity Coordinator. I work from 9 to 2 each day – it’s a stepping stone for me and I’m happy to do this until I can set up my business as I see that is where my future lies.

I want to say to all the mums out there trying to balance family and career, there’s more you can do than you might think. You just need some guidance. GRoW at the Shama Women’s Centre is a good place for that. It’s about believing in yourself and finding your own way. Being on the GRoW Your Own Business Workshop has been very encouraging for me. It’s not just about learning skills, it’s about finding support and a community that helps you achieve your dreams. I now feel ready to move forward with mine and am looking forward to the future.

 

Zainab’s Journey From Entrepreneur to Aspiring Business Analyst

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Zainab came to the UK from Nigeria 3 years ago to pursue a Masters Degree in International Management. Having successfully run her own fashion business back home, life took a new turn for Zainab after completing her degree and welcoming her fourth child two years ago. Recognising the need for a change and seeking new career opportunities, she turned to the GRoW programme for guidance in her pursuit of becoming a Business Analyst.

Zainab said; “After completing my masters and having a new baby, I took a 2 year break to focus on my family before thinking about going back to work.  I had been running my own fashion business but moving to a new country added new challenges – understanding the market, finding customers, and adapting to the cultural nuances. My degree had opened up new opportunities for me and I decided I wanted to pursue a different career as a business analyist.

I found out about the GRoW Programme when I started job searching and signed up with the hope that they could help me build my confidence and better understand how to present myself to employers. The GRoW workshops provided clarity and self-awareness that really helped me understand my skills, strengths and achievements better and gave me practical advice on how to navigate the UK job market.

My next steps now are to work with GRoW on developing my CV and they have also put me in touch with Business2Business who will be providing some additional support such as interview techniques. I am applying for Business Analyst jobs but also looking at admin roles to develop my work experience.

Being on the GRoW Programme has been a great experience for me and I would recommend other mums take advantage of the benefits they provide, especially in confidence-building and skill recognition. It has been quite a self-reflective experience for me”.

Laura Lands Two Jobs in Leicester

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Leicester mum, Laura, came to GRoW looking for support to find a job after a 4-year gap. With a new found confidence and motivation Laura found two part-time jobs and is feeling positive about the future.

Laura said “I hadn’t worked since having my son 4 years ago. I had been looking for jobs but was struggling with the job search as I couldn’t find many part-time vacancies that would be suitable for me.  As a single mum and with my family back home in Lithuania I was finding the whole process of finding a job and managing everything on my own quite stressful at the time. I spoke to a Family Support Worker at Highfield Children’s Centre and she recommended I get in touch with the GRoW Programme, explaining that GRoW are specialists in helping mums on their journey to work. It sounded just what I needed.

The GRoW sessions at Highfield Children’s Centre were so good. Liz and Mercedes who ran the sessions made everything so easy to understand and they were so encouraging and uplifting. There were lots of other women on the programme, all going through the same experiences which made you feel you were all in it together. The programme made me realise all of the transferable skills we’d developed since becoming mums and helped us see our potential beyond parenting. It was all so positive and motivating and it really helped to rebuild my confidence.

The GRoW Programme, combined with the great support from Business to Business (B2B), who helped me with my job search and interview skills, led to my success in securing two part-time admin jobs. They are both in-person roles but the timings allow me to take my son to school and pick him up without needing childcare. I have already started one of the jobs and will soon be starting the other one and am really looking forward to it.

I feel what the GRoW Programme offers is different from any other programme. To have a programme like this especially for mothers is so good. I’ve been to job centres and recruitment agencies, but the GRoW Programme understand that when you have children, especially if you are a single parent, that parenting takes up a lot of our time and that our children are our top priority. It’s really nice to feel included and understood and that is the difference it makes.