Zoiya Goes from GRoW Team Participant to GRoW Team Member in Leicester

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Mother of three Zoiya is a recent addition to the GRoW Team in Leicester and a symbol of inspiration for many mothers in the community. Having completed the GRoW Programme, Zoiya is now committed to supporting other mothers in Leicester, drawing from her rich background as a Functional Skills English and Maths Teacher. Additionally, she has embarked on a part-time role at Shama Women’s Centre, offering ESOL training and support.

Speaking of her new appointment Zoiya said, “I’m thrilled to be a part of the GRoW Team in Leicester, working to support other mums just like me. Alongside this, I’ve taken up a part-time role at Shama Women’s Centre, providing ESOL training and support one day a week. The two roles really complement each other, and it feels like a natural transition from the teaching roles I have held before.”

Zoiya and her family relocated to Leicester from Essex around a year and a half ago seeking a more community-oriented environment for their young children. She was introduced to the GRoW Programme through Leicester College and decided to give it a shot despite the challenges of juggling childcare and other responsibilities. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “I found the GRoW programme enjoyable and beneficial, and the team members were so welcoming and supportive. It all felt very easy and natural, a safe and nurturing community to be part of.”

Zoiya has a passion for helping people succeed, especially those who have barriers that can hold them back. When she learned about a part-time job opening at Shama Women’s Centre tutoring entry-level courses she was concerned about her five-year employment gap due to being made redundant when she was expecting her middle child. However, she applied the new-found confidence developed through the GRoW Programme and decided to embrace the opportunity. The same day she was offered the job with Shama Women’s Centre she was offered a position with the GRoW Team to support Leicester mothers as part of the Jobs22 project.

Zoiya said “Before having my children I had around 10 years’ experience of teaching. I’ve worked as a Functional Skills English and Maths Teacher and worked with organisations including Jobwise Training and CentrePoint and at Aylesbury College and Havering College. My passion has always been about working with people who find it harder to achieve their goals and need more support. Being part of GRoW gives me the opportunity to give back to the community and it feels perfect for me.

My new role with the GRoW Team will involve engaging in both training and outreach activities and my role at Shama Women’s Centre, will involve tutoring entry-level courses. Both are a great opportunity for me and I am looking forward to inspiring and uplifting other mothers in Leicester to achieve their goals.”

Mihaela Upskills to Open New Doors

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Mihaela was referred to GRoW through the Restart Scheme in May 2022 from her local Jobcentre who felt she would benefit from the supportive community that GRoW offers mums in their journey to work. Initially she was looking at going back to work after a 5 year break to have her youngest child and with GRoW’s support found work as a Cashier at Primark. Mihaela is now enrolled on a Level 2 Functional Skills English and Maths course and is looking forward to new opportunities.

Mihaela said “When I first joined GRoW I struggled with confidence, especially with language, and I felt very shy. It was a huge barrier to me moving forward with my life but GRoW became a lifeline for me, boosting my confidence with the help and support of the team connecting me with other women experiencing similar issues as myself and also through the GRoW app with its motivational quotes and support information.

GRoW helped me craft an effective CV, which ultimately led to a job opportunity at Primark. I started as a cashier in December 2022 as a Christmas job which turned into a permanent 20-hour week position. It’s been a year now, and I’m still enjoying the job.

Though I am really happy with my current role, I know I can achieve more for myself and feel I need to push myself to do more learning. Before I joined GRoW an adviser from the Jobcentre recommended a Functional Skills course to me but I didn’t feel I had the confidence then to pursue it. Since going through the GRoW Programme however, I feel different. I now feel ready to take it on and so when I learned that GRoW were able to help me access a Functional Skills I jumped at the chance! The course covers English and Maths, and upon completion, I will have a Level 2 qualification.

GRoW helped me with the whole process of enrolling on the course. They carried out two assessments with me and dealt with all of the correspondence with the course providers, Runway Training. I’m all set now to start the course online, and my aim is to work on it for 1 hour each day so I can complete it hopefully within a couple of months.

Looking ahead, I want to explore new opportunities for work. I’ve always liked the idea of working with wood or craft, maybe making my own furniture. GRoW has opened doors for me, and I’m excited to see where these new skills will take me.

GRoW has been instrumental in transforming my life. It has helped me secure employment, build confidence, and now, it’s guiding me towards further qualifications. I feel far more empowered now as a result and I am looking forward to shaping a brighter and exciting future for myself and my family.

Shameela’s Job Success

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Shameela came to the GRoW Programme in Newham looking to get ready for work following a 19 year break to raise her children. After working with GRoW on a hospitality work placement she has enrolled on a Level 2 Teaching Assistant Course and has undergone other training to help her in her goal of working in a school. Shameela has now been offered a job as an Exam Invigilator at a school in Newham.

Shameela said; “I am so happy to have been offered this job and to feel I am achieving my goals. My dream is to work with children and I am grateful for all the support I’ve received from the GRoW team in helping me gain the skills I needed to help me, as well as the confidence and motivation to encourage me to go for it.

As I haven’t worked in a long time my confidence had taken a hit and I felt I couldn’t do anything more than be a mum but GRoW helped me see past that, giving me the support I needed and the chance to improve my skills and experience. Through GRoW I completed a number of courses including Food and Hygiene, Safeguarding and Customer Services training which helped me to boost my CV and I’ve also completed Maths and English courses at Newham College. Sheeja helped me put together a really strong CV and so when a friend shared a link to an Exam Invigilator position I felt confident to apply and feel I was in with a chance.

It took about three weeks from applying before I received an email inviting me to an interview and I was quite nervous in the lead up to the big day. I got the invite to interview email on the Thursday for the interview to take place on the Monday and so I had a very nerve-wracking weekend preparing for it. I had never been to a job interview before so was really quite anxious, practising interview questions and researching what I should say. The interview took place at the school with the Exams Officer and only took around 20 minutes. I felt I came across well and when I left I felt quietly confident. I was overjoyed when I received an email the following day telling me I had got the job! The role involves overseeing exams for GCSE students, ensuring compliance with rules, and providing support as needed. The flexibility of the position is perfect for me as I can choose the hours I want to work and fit it around my Teaching Assistant course as well as my family.

I am feeling so positive now about my journey and my future. I was so excited to be offered this job and to tell my husband, family and friends who were all so happy for me. I’ve been given lots of encouragement to follow my dreams but now I feel that I am finally on my way.

Rehana’s Path to Childminding Entrepreneurship with GRoW

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Rehana began her journey with GRoW at the Shama Women’s Centre, where she attended the GRoW Your Own Business Programme. With plans to start her own childminding business, Rehana gained valuable insights and practical advice about various aspects of self-employment, and with GRoW’s continuing support has gained experience and is now on the path to achieving her goal.

Rehana said “I had been a regular visitor to the Shama Women’s Centre over the years, where I had taken some courses such as computer, IT and ESOL but it was the first time I had done a programme like GRoW Your Own Business.  It was excellent and the ladies that ran the programme – Liz, Mercedes and Kaneez – were really friendly and supportive. I attended one session a week for three weeks and it was a great experience for me. I felt it helped me to understand the different aspects of setting up a business such as preparing your Business Plan, promoting your business, and finance, tax and VAT. It covered a lot of detail, step by step but more than anything, it made me feel so much more confident and motivated to push forward.

I have always wanted to be a childminder. I previously worked in a school and childcare nursery 16 years ago and I have a NVQ childcare qualification. I am currently working part-time in Home Care but my plan is to become a full-time childminder as I find it a very challenging and rewarding career. Through GRoW I was offered the opportunity to gain some recent work experience when they asked me to provide childcare at a GRoW session they were running at Highfield Childrens Centre. I offered support by looking after a child while their mother attended a GRoW session. I have completed a First Aid course and my next steps now are to finalise some of the details and then arrange for my OFSTED inspection. Once everything is completed, Kaneez is helping me to launch the business early next year and GRoW have offered to help advertise my business via their GRoW app which is really helpful.

I am grateful to GRoW for the support I have received. It has been such a helpful and motivating experience, taking part in workshops with a supportive community of women, whilst gaining practical guidance on navigating the complexities of setting up a business. I feel very optimistic about the future and can’t wait to start.

Sajada’s Passion for Lifelong Learning

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Mother of four Sajada came to GRoW in the Autumn of 2023 after connecting with GRoW Adviser Saeema at a junior school in Hillingdon. With a passion for learning and development, Sajada has engaged fully with the GRoW Programme and is now studying for a Level 2 Teaching Assistant course.

Sajada said “I met Saeema when dropping my youngest son off at his school one morning and she was so positive and encouraging about the GRoW Programme that  I was intrigued to find out more. I am a person who has always been interested in gaining knowledge and furthering my education. I have always believed it is important to keep growing, keep studying, even if you are a busy mum, of course it is difficult to find the time but it is possible always to do something. Back in 2018 I did Employability and ESOL courses at Uxbridge College and more recently at Hillingdon Adult Centre I did my Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English. I have also done a Safeguarding course and a Level 1 Teaching Assistant Course. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and lockdown I was not able to complete it because I was unable to carry out the mandatory voluntary work placement.

When I met Saeema I was pleased to be offered the opportunity through GRoW to enrol on the next level in my journey to becoming a Teaching Assistant.  I am doing the course online and am really enjoying it. Studying the Level 1 first gave me some really important tools about how to study which has made it easier for me this time around. I have moved house recently which has presented a few challenges for me so being able to do the study fully online is a great help and my tutor is really understanding and supportive.

I moved to the UK from Afghanistan in 2007 where I had been a medical student. I faced the challenge of adapting to a new language and culture and although I knew English, the transition to spoken English was difficult. I married here and had four children and have embraced the opportunity to learn and improve my language skills. It’s especially important as I want to be a Teaching Assistant and good communication is so crucial. Being able to speak the language well and communicate and learn from other teachers and students is a personal goal for me.

Something I feel very passionate about is the importance for mothers to prioritise education, not just for their children but for themselves too. Mothers are educators within their homes and so by constantly learning and gaining more knowledge mothers can better support their children and contribute positively to society. I think it is really important to give back to society and so I fully encourage other mothers to seize opportunities for personal and educational growth.

I have a dream to reach academic achievement, to be wearing the square hat and gown and be standing before my peers, confidently speaking English so I can inspire others too.

Saeema has been a real guiding force behind me, encouraging me all the way to keep motivated and learning. I have attended sessions with GRoW in-person as well as online and they have helped move forward with my dreams and take the opportunities seriously. I am now looking forward to completing my Teaching Assistant course and taking it to the next step of finding work.”

Cristine GRoW’s in Confidence

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Cristine came to a GRoW Bootcamp at Minet Junior School in Hillingdon in October 2023. A mother to two young children she was interested in finding out how to start the journey back to work after a 5 year break and is now enrolled on a Teaching Assistant Course and Functional Skills, preparing for her future career.

Cristine said “I first got involved with GRoW at a Coffee Morning Bootcamp at my daughter’s school. I met Saeema, one of the GRoW Advisers, and she was so helpful, explaining different opportunities that were available to me.  I learned about ways I could develop both personally and professionally though training courses and the online sessions GRoW offer as well as the live in-person sessions at their HQ at the Winning Box in Hayes.

The GRoW Bootcamp was a great experience. I have two children, a daughter in Year Four and a son in Year 1 and I didn’t feel that I had very many skills to offer an employer. Through the Bootcamp however, I learned that I have many skills and abilities and that all of the different things you do every day as a mum counts as transferrable skills that can be used in the workplace. This was a real confidence boost for me.

I moved to the UK from India 5 years ago and although I used to work as an Office Assistant previously, I have not worked since coming here and having my family.  I did a Finance diploma in my home country but have not done any training in the UK. I did think about enrolling at college a while ago but I didn’t have the confidence to do it at the time. Joining GRoW has really helped me take that step forward and it is due to the support of the team, especially Saeema who has helped me a lot. She helped me see a way forward that would work for me and it has motivated me to strive towards a goal of becoming a Teaching Assistant which is something I have wanted to do for a long time.

I have now enrolled on the Functional Skills and also the Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualifications, and plan to do the Level 3 as well. I’m really excited to start and finally feel that I am on a journey towards reaching my goal.

Before joining GRoW I had looked at doing some courses but it never quite worked for me, whether it was just my confidence stopping me I’m not sure but I now feel very happy to be doing these courses through GRoW.

Sometimes when you are a just being a mum you can think you can’t do anything else beyond that but Saeema gave me the energy to go forward and that’s now what I am doing. I don’t know where my journey will go exactly but I’m taking the first steps and I have a goal in mind and that makes me happy.

Zamurd Pursues Her Dream Job

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Zamurd came to the GRoW Programme in the Summer of 2022 looking for help to pursue her dream of becoming a Teaching Assistant. Having completed some courses already, with GRoW’s help she is now volunteering in a school and has enrolled on a Level 2 Teaching Assistant Course.

Zamurd said “I did a Childcare course at Harlington Adult Learning Centre in Hillingdon, last September, finishing in January this year and I knew that this was the career I wanted to pursue.  I learned about GRoW through my child’s school and decided to go on the programme to see how they could help me and they have been a guiding force in realising my goal.

They recommended I do a Food Hygiene course and a Safeguarding course and also spoke to me about the idea of exploring volunteering opportunities.  This was really important for me as it has enabled me to build experience and knowledge on the job and has made me realise even more that working with children is something I really enjoy.

To secure the volunteering position I approached my child’s school, Grange Park Infants School in Hillingdon, and I met with their Principal and I was so happy when they offered me a placement.  I am now working there as a volunteer and am thoroughly enjoying it.

Being part of GRoW has been really insightful to find out what I need to do be work-ready. Since coming to the UK 15 years ago I have not worked and so I was aware I needed to gain some experience and that this would be really important for my CV.  GRoW recommended I do a Food Hygiene Course and a Safeguarding course as both would be relevant and important to be able to work in a school setting.  They also taught me interview skills which will be so useful when I start applying for jobs.

I have four children, my eldest is 15 and my youngest is 5, and so now is a really good time for me to start thinking about going back to work. Volunteering at the school has been so important to my journey as it has helped me build my confidence.  The school staff have known me for a long time, since my older child was a pupil there, but they only knew me in capacity of a parent. Now they know me in the capacity of a worker and it’s amazing to see how they trust me and value me as a contributor.  It’s a real boost for my confidence and my CV.

Being part of GRoW has been an amazing experience for me and now I am really looking forward to starting the Level 2 Teaching Assistant course to take the next step towards reaching my goal. “

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.”

Sumithra Seeks a Schools Job  

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Sumithra’s journey towards returning to work started with a simple wish to do something different with her day. As a mum to 7-year-old and 20-month-old daughters, she was looking for a change from her regular routine and through the GRoW Programme found inspiration for a new career.

Sumithra said “I found out about the GRoW Programme in a leaflet at Sheringham School in Newham and thought it would not only be a break from my normal day but also a good opportunity to explore ideas around returning to work. As a mother to two young children, the GRoW Session’s focus on working in schools aligned perfectly with my family’s needs as I really need a job that allows me to work the hours that fit around my children. I had prior work experience in retail but had taken a career break when I had my youngest child, planning to go back to work when she begins nursery next year. The timing of the Programme was therefore perfect for me as it has motivated me to start the journey towards work now rather than waiting until she starts.

The GRoW Programme offered comprehensive training, covering CV building, interview skills, and for those people who are interested in self-employment, business planning. As well as providing really useful practical tools it did wonders for my confidence and motivation.

As part of the activities, we had to stand up and speak, which being quite a shy and reserved person was quite scary at first!  Liz and Michelle who ran the sessions were great at alleviating my fears though, explaining that there are no wrong or right answers which made it so much easier. It was such a confidence booster to participate fully in this way and it helped to get the whole group working together. This was a key part of what the programme offered – the chance to be part of a supportive community with like-minded people – and it was instrumental in helping me feel motivated to work towards my goal.

I have now completed the 5 sessions at Sheringham Children’s Centre and am looking forward to starting the Multiply Programme next Tuesday and developing more skills.  These training courses and the school-specific training such as Safeguarding that GRoW have introduced me to will be invaluable for my CV when I start applying for jobs.

The GRoW Programme has been such a refreshing experience for me to do something with my mind and really think about myself and my future and I am looking forward now to the next steps on my journey to work.”

Rabia Looks to the Future

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Rabia joined the GRoW Programme in August 2023 after meeting the GRoW Team at Sheringham Childrens Centre, near her home town of Manor Park in Newham. With her daughter soon to start Nursery, Rabia was looking for an opportunity to take her first steps back to work.

Rabia said; “Being a stay-at-home mum had taken its toll on my confidence but I didn’t want motherhood to hold me back. I wanted to get back out in the world and start to socialise again but was finding it hard to get started. What I quickly realised when I joined the GRoW Programme was that it could offer the support and guidance that I needed. Whilst it was about helping mums think about work, it wasn’t focused on just finding a job –  any job – it was about looking to the future and working towards meaningful work.

The daily activities and discussions in the programme helped open our minds to new possibilities. There was no one to criticise us or say we were wrong. We were encouraged to think freely, explore new ideas, and even take the lead in our own projects. This I think is very unique and it’s what helped to give me the push I needed.

Before I stopped work to have my daughter I had a variety of work experiences. I worked in a tuition academy in Brixton and in Enfield and worked in retail at ASDA, JD Sports and in charity shops so I have a range of skills. I gained qualifications in maths and physics in my home country of Pakistan but I am keen to attain more qualifications in the UK to boost my CV. The GRoW Programme introduced me to opportunities to take online courses which I can learn whilst my daughter is at Nursery. I have enrolled on to a Teaching Assistant course which I am hoping to start in January when a space is available and I am also doing the Multiply course to improve my maths.

As my daughter progresses through to full-time school my plan is to complete the Multiply courses and then pursue a graduate course before enrolling onto a longer-term professional programme.

Being part of the GRoW Community has been a great experience for me.  GRoW has been a really important platform to giving me that gentle nudge to helping me make my dreams a reality and Liz has been so encouraging and motivating and really such a driving force in my journey.”