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”.

Shital Learns New AI Skills For Everyday Life and Work Opportunities

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Shital joined the Grow Digital programme in Leicester (funded by the AKG Community Interest Fund) after being encouraged by the Peepul Centre to take part. Already working in retail, she wanted to build on her existing knowledge and stay up to date with new digital tools, particularly AI, to support her future career goals.

Shital said “I did my bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in India, so I already had a good knowledge of computers nut here in the UK, I wanted to understand how things work and learn what is new. I go to the Peepul Centre and they encouraged me to join the course as they said it would help me learn more digital skills.”

Even though Shital already had a background in computing, she wanted to refresh her skills and keep up with changes.

“Every day there is something new coming. I wanted to stay updated and understand the new systems.”

Before joining the course, Shital had not used AI tools but through the Grow Digital sessions, she began to understand how AI can be used in everyday life.

“Nowadays, in everything, you need AI. It helps with writing, correcting sentences and many things.”

She also learned practical skills that she can use going forward such as writing and improving CVs, understanding job descriptions, improving writing skills and protecting personal data online. There are so many scams now, so learning how to protect your data was also very useful” said Shital.

The course was delivered in a way that made it accessible to everyone, regardless of their starting point.

“There were lots of women in the class. Some didn’t know how to use AI at all, and some were not very confident with mobile phones. Kaneez, the tutor, supported learners by explaining things in different languages when needed. She explained in different languages, like Hindi, so everyone could understand. That was very helpful.”

For Shital, the course was about refreshing her knowledge and building confidence with new tools.

“This course helped me learn something new and improve my skills. I now feel more confident using digital tools in everyday life. If I don’t know something, I can use AI to help me.”

Shital is currently working in retail but is thinking about her future. “This is my job for now, but I am interested in working in something computer-based in the future. What I have learned on this course will really help me. It has given me useful skills for both work and everyday life.”

For Shital, Grow Digital has been an opportunity to refresh her existing skills, learn about AI, and prepare for future career opportunities. By building her confidence and keeping her knowledge up to date, she is taking steps towards moving into a more technology-focused role.

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.”

 

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.

Surayya Progresses from Volunteering to a Job Offer

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Surayya joined the Grow Programme just over a year ago after hearing about us through her children’s school. She has been living in the UK for three years, having moved here from India, but had never worked before. As a mum of young children, she was looking for a part-time role during school hours – but without work experience or networks, she didn’t know where to start.

When Surayya first came to Grow, she says she felt new, unsure and quite isolated. Surayya said “I didn’t know anybody here. I didn’t have a community. I just needed to meet people and understand how things work. Every job I applied for were asking for experience, but I didn’t have any. I didn’t know how to get that.”

With support from her Grow Adviser, Sheeja, she was encouraged to start with volunteering to build confidence and gain experience. Surayya emailed a local school directly and asked if she could volunteer. “They accepted me”, said Surayya.  “I started helping the teacher in the classroom. It gave me experience and helped me understand the school, the children and the teachers.”

Through volunteering, Surayya began to build experience and at the same time, she was attending Grow sessions, taking part in the Bootcamp and using the Grow app to access advice and information. “The sessions gave me confidence. I learned about interviews and how to improve myself. I didn’t know these things before.”

When an opportunity came up at the same school to work as a School Meals Supervisory Assistant (SMSA), Surayya applied. Before the interview, Sheeja arranged a mock interview for her with Grow adviser, Khatera. “We practised the questions and that helped me a lot. When the real interview came, I felt more ready.”

Surayya has now been offered the SMSA role and is waiting for her official start date. She believes that volunteering, along with the interview practice and confidence she gained through Grow, made the difference.

“It helped me a lot. I know the school now. I know the children and the atmosphere. The volunteering gave me experience and helped me get this job. Being part of Grow has helped me build my confidence, I am naturally an introvert and so being part of a community and receiving advice on how to access opportunities has been so helpful for me and its helped me take the steps myself.

“Grow know how to help mums like me to improve confidence and present ourselves in interviews. I didn’t know these things before. It’s really good.”

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.”

 

Arjana Finds the Right Support at the Right Time

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Arjana joined Grow nearly a year ago after being referred by the Department of Work. At that time, she was facing significant personal challenges and was uncertain about her next steps.

With the support of her Grow advisor Liz and the Grow Jobs Brokerage programme, Arjana has gained confidence, found new direction, and begun to look ahead with renewed hope.

Arjana shared:

“I joined Grow nearly a year ago after being referred by the Department of Work. At that time, I was going through a challenging period and felt uncertain about my future. I had moved to the UK some years ago and had experienced the complexities of moving countries more than once. This was especially challenging as I did not speak English at all when I first arrived.

At first, I was hesitant to engage, but over time I began using the Grow app and joined a group where I saw others facing similar challenges. That helped me realise I wasn’t alone. It reminded me that we’re all human and that things don’t have to be perfect to move forward.

Liz, my advisor, has been incredibly supportive. Her positivity and encouragement helped me believe in myself. Having someone who listens without judgement made a real difference.

Before joining Grow, I had experience in cleaning, hospitality, and working in schools. Through Grow, I was able to reflect on what I truly want and realised I’d like to work in the public sector, ideally in an administrative role within a school. This would allow me to support others, find balance, and still be present for my children.

I’ve now joined the Jobs Brokerage programme and have taken part in a mock interview to prepare for a Civil Service role. The guidance I received helped me better understand how to present myself and what to expect.

Being part of Grow has helped me better understand how things work in the UK, from tailoring a CV to applying for jobs, and it’s given me renewed motivation. I’m learning that progress doesn’t need to be perfect. Change takes time, but having the right support can truly make a difference.”

Anisha Starts New Role as Learning Support Assistant

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Anisha from West Drayton recently started a new job as a Learning Support Assistant at a local school, marking her return to work after several years of focusing on her family. With support from Grow, and especially her adviser Sheeja, Anisha was able to tailor her CV and build the skills and confidence needed to pursue a role that fits around her children.

Anisha said: “I’d worked in HR before, but after moving countries and taking a break to raise my two children, I wasn’t sure how to start again. A friend recommended Grow and it’s been a real turning point.”

With guidance from Sheeja, Grow referred Anisha to enrol on three courses that helped her prepare for a career in education: Preparing to Work in Schools and Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health through Runway Training, and a course on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through South London Partnership. The SEND course, in particular, helped her secure her current role, where supporting children with additional needs is a key part of her work.

“Sheeja really helped me reshape my CV,” said Anisha. “I didn’t have teaching experience, but she helped me highlight my skills as a parent and show how they could be relevant to working with children.”

Before securing her current job, Anisha also gained experience through agency work, which boosted her confidence and gave her valuable insight into school environments. She started her new role in November and is now working term-time, every day, in a school close to home.

“When I first came to Grow at the start of 2025 I didn’t know where to start and had no idea of what was expected of me to work in a school. Grow was able to put me on the right path and I’m really enjoying it,” she said. “It feels good to be back in work, doing something that fits around my children and helps me keep learning too.”