Sravani Builds Confidence and Finds First Job in the UK

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Sravani joined the Grow Programme in late 2023 looking to build her confidence and eventually return to the IT sector, where has previous work experience in India. With support from Grow she has started a new job working part-time in retail, her first job since moving to the UK.

Sravani said:
“I started working at Superdrug at the end of June. It’s a local job and I do around 12 to 15 hours a week, which fits well around my family life. I had applied for a few jobs before and been to interviews, and each one helped me improve. I learned what kind of questions would come up and how to answer more confidently. By the time I interviewed with Superdrug, I was prepared.”

As a parent with school-aged children, Sravani wanted to find a role she could do alongside her caring responsibilities. She had previously worked in IT in India and hopes to return to that field in the future, but recognised that getting experience and understanding the UK job market was a key first step.

“Grow helped me understand how to build connections, how to communicate and how to adapt to a new workplace culture. The workshops, especially the ones on CVs and interview preparation, gave me more confidence. I didn’t always know what I could say or how to talk about myself in a positive way. Grow helped bring that out of me.”

Sravani explained that being part of the Grow community helped her build a network and understand how to approach opportunities in a new country. “We should never lose hope. I knew I had experience, but I needed help to show that. The support from Grow helped me believe in myself again.”

Interview with Sheeja Sethumhadhavan – Supporting Women to Explore a Career as a Teaching Assistant

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In partnership with Learn Hillingdon, Belina Grow recently delivered a two-week “Becoming a Teaching Assistant” taster course designed to help women explore a career in education. With 20 women taking part and an impressive 87.5% average attendance, the course offered hands-on insight into the Teaching Assistant role while building confidence and practical skills. We caught up with Sheeja, who led the sessions, to hear more about what made this course special, the progress she’s seen in participants, and why these kinds of opportunities are so vital for women looking to start or restart their careers in the UKWhat is the name of your session or sessions?
The session is called ‘Becoming a Teaching Assistant’. It’s a two-week taster course we run in partnership with Learn Hillingdon.

What is your session about?
It’s an introductory course designed for women who are interested in pursuing a career as a Teaching Assistant. The aim is to give participants a clear understanding of the role, responsibilities, and the skills and knowledge needed, while building their confidence to take the next step, whether that’s enrolling in a formal qualification or improving their English and Maths.

Can you describe what happens during a typical session?
Each session is interactive and practical. We explore what it means to be a Teaching Assistant, the kinds of tasks they do, and the behaviours and qualities that are important when working with children. One of the standout activities is a blindfolded task, it’s simple but powerful, helping participants see how perception and communication really matter when supporting learning. The sessions also offer space for discussion, group activities, and peer learning.

Who is the session for?
The session is especially for women who are thinking about starting a new career, many of whom are new to the UK job market or returning to work after a break. Most of our learners have previous education or work experience from other countries and are now looking for a way to begin or restart their careers here in the UK.

What kind of participants usually attend? What needs or barriers are they facing?
We often support women who are lacking in confidence, unsure about how to navigate the UK education system, or who have been out of the workplace for some time, often due to caring responsibilities. Some face language barriers, others are just unsure how to take the first step. This course gives them that opportunity in a safe, supportive space.

What makes this session helpful or different from other support available?
It’s the combination of practical insight and emotional encouragement. We don’t just tell them what the job involves, we show them, we discuss it together, and we connect it to their real-life experiences. And because we offer it in partnership with Learn Hillingdon, there’s a seamless path to continue learning. Many go on to take the full Teaching Assistant qualification or refresh their Maths and English through our Functional Skills courses.

What kind of feedback have you had from participants?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! Participants love how clear and easy-to-follow the sessions are, and they really appreciate the friendly, welcoming environment. A lot of women tell us the interactive activities helped them understand the role better and gave them the confidence to pursue it.

Could you share any quotes or stories from women who found the session(s) useful?
Absolutely! Here are just two of the comments we received:

“I liked that the session gave a clear idea of what it’s like to be a TA. It was easy to follow and helped me understand the main responsibilities. I also enjoyed the interactive parts and hearing from others. It made me feel more confident about taking the full course.”

“I really enjoyed the course because I met new people, and the teacher was excellent at explaining everything clearly. She helped us understand how to become a Teaching Assistant and what skills are needed for the role. The classes were fun, engaging, and easy to follow.”

Do women attend the session more than once? If so, why do you think women come back or recommend it to others?
Yes, we often see women return, either to attend other sessions we run or to support others by sharing their own journey. I think they come back because it’s a confidence-boosting space. Many tell us they recommend it to friends or family members because it helped them feel seen, heard, and motivated.

It helps them feel more capable and optimistic and they make new connections with other women who are in similar situations. They also leave with a clearer path forward, whether that’s starting a qualification, improving their English, or looking for work in a school.

What changes or progress have you seen in participants over time?
Some women have gone on to enrol in full Teaching Assistant qualifications. Others have joined Functional Skills classes to strengthen their English and Maths. I’ve seen so many small but powerful changes, more eye contact, more participation in group discussions, and most importantly, a belief that they can do it.

Any examples of confidence building, engagement, or moving towards training/work?
Yes, we’ve already had several women from this most recent course book their assessments for the next stage in September. One woman told us she’d always wanted to work in a school but never believed she could. After just two weeks with us, she’s planning her learning and career steps.

Why should someone join this session if they’re unsure or nervous?
Because it’s designed for people just like them. There’s no pressure and no judgement, just encouragement and guidance. We take it step by step, and everything is explained clearly. It’s a safe place to explore your options.

What would you say to encourage a new participant to try it?
I’d say: You don’t have to have all the answers or feel confident right now. Just come along and see what it’s like. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh, and you’ll meet others who understand what you’re going through. And by the end of it, you’ll feel more ready than you think.

Sarah Builds Skills and Gets Motivated Through Grow

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Sarah lives in Hillingdon and came to the UK five years ago. She has been volunteering to support refugees and asylum seekers through a local charity and, in 2024, joined the Grow Programme after a friend recommended it to her. With a strong background in interpreting and teaching, Sarah is using Grow’s resources to build her confidence and continue growing her skills as she looks to restart her career in the UK.

Sarah said “I found out about Grow in October 2024 through a friend. We both volunteer with a charity called REAP that supports refugees and asylum seekers. I’ve been helping people with things like English, interpreting, and housing. My friend told me that Grow could help me with my CV, finding courses, and preparing for work, so I decided to give it a try.

Before I came to the UK, I worked as a translator and interpreter for the US Army in the Middle East. I’ve always liked helping people, and I want to do the same here. But when I arrived in the UK, everything was different, and I didn’t know where to start.

Grow has really helped me. I’ve done a Level 1 Customer Services course through Get Set UK and joined the Grow Bootcamp. These sessions gave me a lot of energy and motivation. They helped me believe in myself again.

One thing I really love about Grow is the support for women. Women have so much to deal with—looking after children, running the house, and still trying to build a career. Grow understands that. It brings women together from all backgrounds and gives us space to grow, learn, and move forward.

The team at Grow are amazing. Many of them have been through the programme themselves, so they understand what we’re going through. Seeing them now helping others gave me hope that I could do the same.

I also use the Grow Jobs Bulletin—it’s really helpful and full of ideas for jobs. Right now, I’m looking for work in interpreting, admin, customer service, or as a teaching assistant. I’m currently doing a Level 2 Customer Service course and also thinking about doing more training to keep improving my skills.

Grow has given me the confidence to keep going. It reminds me that I can do this!”

 

Regina Completes Helping Children with Maths Course

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We recently made available to our GRoW community the ‘Helping Children with Maths’ course held by Capital City College and one of our grow members was pleased to take part in and complete. Regina has been part of GRoW for some time, joining various workshops to build her confidence and skills — including CV writing and interview preparation. Regina joined the maths course to support both her own development and goals to become a teaching assistant and also for her children’s learning.

Regina said “I first joined GRoW a while ago, before the lockdown, but I’ve had to come and go because of my health and travelling. Now I’m back and still looking for work — I’m really hoping to find something that works for me and my children, maybe between 8 and 4 during the day.

I’ve done a Level 2 Teaching Assistant course and Level 2 Childcare already. What I want now is to do my Level 3 Teaching Assistant course so I can take that next step and hopefully get a job in a school.

I’ve been coming to a lot of GRoW sessions — how to write a CV, cover letters, things like that. They’ve all been helpful. Most recently, I joined the How to Help Your Children with Maths course with Capital Training. Even though I already had my Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths, it’s been a few years and I felt like I had lost a bit of confidence. I wanted to refresh my knowledge before starting any new work or training — and also to help my children better with their homework.

The course was really good. The tutor was very calm and patient, and explained everything clearly. If you didn’t understand something, he would break it down and go over it again. That helped me a lot — I’m dyslexic, so I need to go over things more than once to really get it. He also gave us handouts and recommended the website mathsgenie.co.uk, which I’ve been using at home to practise. It’s great.

The course reminded me how useful Times Tables are — I’ve started using them more and testing myself like I’m back at school! I’ve also been practising things like simplifying and ordering fractions, metric conversions, and checking my mental maths. It’s been really useful.

What I liked most is that it made me feel confident again. Maths can be scary, especially when you haven’t used it in a while, but the way the course was taught made it feel manageable. I’d recommend it to any parent who feels like they’ve lost confidence in maths — give it a try, it really helps.

The course also gave me more motivation to continue learning. Since I want to work with children, knowing how to explain maths in simple ways is going to be a big help. I’m grateful to GRoW for letting me know about the course and always being there to support me.

Vikoriia’s Seeks a Construction Apprenticeship

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Vikoriia is an experienced construction professional from Ukraine, now living in the UK and seeking an apprenticeship in the construction industry. Having worked as a foreman for five years, she’s eager to get back into the field in roles such as estimator, site manager, or assistant site manager. Vikoriia joined the Kingston GRoW Program who are providing a variety of support to help her on her journey.

However, with the UK’s different systems and processes, she feels that starting with an apprenticeship will help her adapt and grow in her new environment. Here, Vikoriia shares her story, her challenges, and her hopes for the future.

Vikoriia said “I’m currently on a journey to find an apprenticeship on a construction site here in the UK. I’d like a job such as an estimator, site manager, or assistant site manager—positions I’ve held before in my previous career in Ukraine. I’m eager to get back into the field, but with the UK’s different system, I believe an apprenticeship is the best starting point for me.

Before moving to the UK, I worked for five years as a foreman in Ukraine, where I was responsible for finishing work such as laying floors, painting walls, and completing ceilings. It was a job I loved, and I took great pride in the work I delivered.

Since arriving in the UK two and a half years ago, after the invasion of Ukraine, I’ve found work in different sectors and currently work as a chef in a restaurant.

I’ve been working hard to prepare for a career shift back into construction. I recently completed a series of courses, including CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme), Triple STS (Site Supervision Safety Training), and First Aid. With all the necessary certificates in hand, I’m now ready to start working on a construction site. Yet, as much as I’m ready, I know I still need to adapt to the UK’s way of doing things, which is why I feel an apprenticeship is the right next step.

I’ve also been improving my English. When I first arrived here, I only had basic English skills from school, but I’ve been studying hard, currently attending classes at Kingston College. My English has come a long way, but there’s always room for improvement, which is another reason why starting with an apprenticeship feels like the right move.

I first came into contact with GRoW recently, through Iryna who specialises in supporting Ukrainian women like me. I’m excited to see how they can support me further. I’m interested in courses they can provide me that will help me on my journey. I also hope to get some interview practice to help me prepare for when I’m ready to step into the job market. GRoW has already been very supportive, and I look forward to what’s next.”

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!

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.

 

Nasrine’s Journey from Engagement to Education

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In September 2023, Nasrine joined the GRoW Community in September after learning about the GRoW Programme at her daughter’s school in Hillingdon. With a young daughter in Year 1 and a son in Year 5 she felt that the time was right for her to start thinking about moving into education or work and has actively engaged in learning opportunities to work towards her goal of becoming a Teaching Assistant.

Nasrine said “I’m so pleased I made the decision to join GRoW. It has opened up so many opportunities for me to explore and it has strengthened my motivation to take every step I need to achieve my dream career.

I came to the UK 10 years ago from Algeria where I worked in a laboratory related to the production of medicine, it wasn’t related to my studies at University, which was in finance, but it did give me lots of customer service experience.  When I lived in Slough I did an Early Years course at a college which made really think about teaching as a career path. I always remember the teacher talking about the impact of the relationship between an adult and a child and the importance of being a good role model and this stuck with me. When I became a mother the experience further impacted my career aspirations.  I discovered I had a passion for education when we moved from Slough to Hayes, and I spent some time home-educating her. I found it really interesting how being engaged with children’s learning can have such a positive impact on their lives and make such a difference and it gave me a dream to aspire to.

I was aware that having not worked for 10 years, or in the UK, my CV would be lacking, so before joining GRoW I enrolled on a Functional Skills Maths and English course and also with an IT course at the Harlington Centre in Hillingdon.  Currently, I am also doing a course about understanding challenging behaviour in children but when I joined the GRoW Programme I found out about other courses I could do which would help me on my journey.  What I love about GRoW is the way they make it easy to see what is available and what type of learning will be best suited to my goals. I know how important some qualifications can be to finding a job, even volunteering positions, and so having that support to choose the right course is so valuable. I am currently in the process of enrolling on a Level 2 Teaching Assistant course through GRoW which is essential to equip me with the skills and knowledge needed to work in this role. Kaneez also made me aware of an Autism Awareness course that I could do and I am planning to do this after the Teaching Assistant course as I really feel that having that extra and more in-depth understanding will help me gain even stronger skills and knowledge.

GRoW isn’t just about getting people into work, it’s much more than that. The team help you navigate the right educational routes and give you a sense of direction and purpose. They help you understand what is important, how to present yourself at an interview, how to sell your skills to an employer, and they give you confidence and motivation to drive forward. They have helped shape a path for me so I can see how far I’ve progressed and what route I need to take next. It’s like a roadmap and I’m on my journey to success.”

Heena’s High Hopes for a Teaching Assistant Career

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Heena was introduced to the GRoW Programme through her local Children’s Centre in Newham. Having not had a job before, but having a keen interest in working with children, Heena came to GRoW looking for information on how to get started once her daughter started Nursery.

Heena said: “I’ve just started volunteering at school, and last week marked my first day. It’s been quite a journey to get here, supported by the GRoW Programme. I joined the programme in February of this year, looking for motivation and a way to pursue my dream of becoming a Teaching Assistant. Being a mum, I knew this path would suit me well, as I enjoy working with children and have always played a very active role in supporting both of my children with their learning.

Before joining GRoW, I had no work experience as a teaching assistant or any job, for that matter. This was my first step towards employment. I started with a Level 1 childcare course in college, and then an online Level 3 teaching assistant course, which I’m currently pursuing while volunteering at my children’s school twice a week.

Discovering the Level 3 course was my own initiative. I had to Google it and find the materials and questions online, completing the coursework independently. This form of learning was entirely new to me. Before this, I had taken courses like English, maths, literacy, and numeracy but no professional qualifications.

I first heard about GRoW at the Altmore Children’s Centre in Newham when I took my baby there. They piqued my interest with their motivational approach, and I decided to give it a try. It was exactly what I needed to push myself and gain the confidence to pursue my dreams.

Now that my daughter is in nursery, I have more time to seek employment. I’ve always wanted to work with children, and GRoW helped me realise that this was the right path for me. Their motivational support, especially from my adviser Liz Sewell, gave me the courage to start my journey towards becoming a Teaching Assistant.

My Level 3 course will finish next July, so I’ll be focusing on volunteering and studying until then. After that, I’ll be actively looking for Teaching Assistant positions. GRoW has been instrumental in providing the motivation and guidance I needed to make this transition. They taught me not to wait for tomorrow but to start working towards my goals now, even if it’s at a slow pace. I’m grateful for their support, and I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Anitha GRoWs her Career Aspirations

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Anitha came to the GRoW Programme in the summer of 2023, looking for support in her journey back to work after an 8 year break. In GRoW she has gained new confidence and motivation and is now looking for a future career as a Teaching Assistant.

Anitha said “I joined GRoW in June 2023 and took part in the Preparing to Work in Schools programme which I found really interesting.  I used to lack confidence, especially in speaking English, but I decided to improve by taking online English lessons which I have been doing for over a month now and finding really good.

Before coming to the UK from India 4 years ago I worked as a teacher in a school so restarting my career as a Teaching Assistant would be a good opportunity for me. I have two young children aged 6 and 2 so term-time working is also better for me and my family.

Being part of the GRoW programme has been a great experience for me. I got lots of support from the team members – Sheeja and Saeema who helped me attend a Learning Assessment at a Community Centre in Hillingdon,  Sheeja and Sonia helped me create a strong CV and conducted a mock interview with me giving me more confidence and GRoW Director Liz supported me a lot, recognising me with two GRoW digital badges, one for contributing to the GRoW #SuccessfulSummer campaign and the other for being a GRoW App Ambassador. The GRoW app has become my go-to resource for job information, interview tips, and CV help, I especially like the Jobs Bulletin and Star Jobs but there’s so much advice on the app and so much to learn. I have been really active on the app, posting information for other GRoW members to read and I even won the summer photo competition for a craft I created (see above). It was a big boost to my confidence and I really enjoyed taking part.

Now, my goal is to keep improving my English and enrol in a teaching assistant course at the Thirteen Learning Centre and to apply for more teaching assistant jobs.

GRoW has given me the confidence and support I need to pursue my dreams and proves that with determination and support, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve their goals. I’m really excited for what the future holds for me.