Sheila Rebuilds Her Career

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

Sheila said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sheila said:

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

 

Nisha’s Journey Back into Work

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Nisha joined Grow after spending nearly three years out of work while raising her family. Through Grow’s Job Brokerage support, she received help with her CV, interview preparation and job search, and has now secured a term-time role that fits around her children, as a kitchen assistant in a primary school.

Finding a way back to work

Before joining Grow, Nisha was actively applying for jobs but not getting results. Nisha said:

“My situation was very bad, I was desperately looking for work, I needed some financial stability… I was volunteering in a primary school… but I wasn’t hearing anything back.”

Her situation was shaped by her responsibilities at home.

“Timing, as a mother of two, was very difficult. Getting a job that fits within school hours is really tough… I didn’t have the option of someone picking up or dropping off my kids.  I am a mother of twin boys, both with special needs… I am the main carer for my boys, so although I was applying for different jobs, I found it very hard.”

Being out of work for a long period also made things harder.

“You don’t know where to start or how to approach things. There was a lack of support, low confidence, and limited employability skills.”

Getting support through Grow

Nisha came across Grow through a session at her children’s school.

“They came to my children’s school… she told me that they have a project helping mothers find a job, and I thought what can be better than this. I showed interest and my journey started with them.”

Through the Job Brokerage support, she began working on her applications and preparing for interviews.

“Grow helped me create my CV, and I think that was the reason I was being shortlisted for interviews.”

“I also had a mock interview… I learned how to answer questions and how to prepare… I received detailed feedback and every time I had an interview, I would read through the feedback.”

She also had ongoing one-to-one support.

“The one-to-one support was just amazing. I knew that if I got stuck, I had somewhere to go and someone to ask.”

Building confidence and skills

One of the key changes for Nisha was feeling more prepared and able to present herself.

“At that time, if someone asked me, ‘What do you do?’ I would say, ‘I’m a mother of two.’ That was my identity. Now, I feel more confident in how I present myself. I’ve learned how to talk about my skills and experience clearly and confidently.”

She also felt more supported in managing applications and interviews.

“My advisor was always there for me… I could talk about my applications… that was the most valuable support I received.”

Moving into work

Nisha has now secured a role as a kitchen assistant in a primary school.

“My role mainly involves preparing food, serving meals to the children, and supporting during lunchtime… and helping with general day-to-day duties.”

The role works around her family, which was a key priority.

“This job has given me exactly what I was seeking, balancing my family responsibilities while working.”

What has changed

Having a job has brought both stability and independence.

“I feel great. I’m working and managing my own life. I don’t have to ask anyone for help, and I’m now financially independent.”

She also describes the wider impact on her confidence and wellbeing.

“Working outside has given me more confidence in talking to people and learning new skills.”

Looking ahead

Nisha now feels more positive about her future and the opportunities ahead.

“I feel more positive about the future… as my circumstances change, I can see more opportunities opening up for me.”

Ruth Finds Confidence Again with Grow

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Ruth joined Grow in Kingston after taking a career break to raise her family and trying to return to work on her own. With a background in engineering and a newly completed AAT Level 2 qualification, she was looking to move into finance but wasn’t seeing success in her job search.

“I took a career break to raise my kids. About last year, I thought, you know what, let me start trying to get back into work. I began applying, but because I wanted a career change from engineering into finance, I wasn’t being successful.”

“I have a friend who told me about Grow and said I could give it a go. I just took a chance and went into the Guildhall. I spoke to Grow’s Employment Adviser Iryna, and that’s how I came in. I’ve been a part of them since then.”

Through Grow’s Job Brokerage support, Ruth received practical help with her CV, applications and interview preparation.

“Grow looked at my CV with me and helped to polish it up. They also did mock interviews and gave me sites to go to apply for jobs. They’ve been advising me on where to apply, helping with my CV, giving feedback and talking about what is needed in an interview. That has been really helpful.”

“I meet regularly with my mentor. If I have an interview and it’s gone wrong, we discuss what has gone wrong. Every response I get from applications, we talk about it. Grow also run sessions about how to make your CV stronger and how to be more confident.”

For Ruth, one of the most important things about Grow was being supported by women who understood her situation.

“They are women like me and they have children as well, so they’ve been through what I’ve been through. You feel like you’re on the same page with them. They understand childcare and work-life balance. That’s what I’ve loved about Grow.”

Although Ruth is still looking for work, she feels much more confident and clearer about her next steps.

“I feel more confident in my search. I know where to look and what to look out for, and that has been because of Grow.”

She also feels better prepared to talk about her career break and change in direction.

“They have told me how to address the career gap and how to talk about what I’ve done during that time. They’ve helped me see that it’s OK and that many people go through this.  It has been very positive being part of Grow, they make you feel as though we have these challenges but we can still get over them and find ways around them”.

Rammiya’s Journey in to work with Grow Job Brokerage

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Rammiya joined Grow after months of trying to find work on her own without success. With a background in mobile device management and IT systems, she had been actively applying for roles but was struggling to get past the application stage. Through Grow’s Job Brokerage programme, she received support with her CV, interview preparation and understanding the job market. With this support, Rammiya has now secured a full-time role and is feeling more confident about her future.

Rammiya said:

“One of the biggest challenges I was facing was not getting shortlisted for interviews. I took a break in July and August because of my children’s holidays, and from September, I started updating my CV and applying for jobs on platforms like Total Jobs, Indeed, and LinkedIn. However, I wasn’t reaching the interview stage at all.

Whenever I applied for a job, I would either get rejected within 2 to 3 days or not receive any response. This was very discouraging. That’s when I felt like I needed some guidance. I didn’t know where to go or whether my CV was right, or if I was doing things
correctly.

I was using AI as well, but still, I wasn’t getting through to the interview stage. I would apply for jobs and get rejected or hear nothing back. This was a very challenging situation before I secured my current role.”

Getting the Right Support

Rammiya heard about Grow from one of her friends who referred her.  She was quickly introduced to the Job Brokerage programme, where she began receiving targeted support to help her move forward. Through Job Brokerage, Rammiya accessed a range of support designed to improve her job readiness and confidence.

“I’m really grateful to the entire team—Saaema, Khatera, Kaneez, Sheeja, and Liz. They regularly held sessions such as motivation sessions, CV preparation and improvement, and interview preparation.”

Building the Right Skills

A key part of the support was helping Rammiya understand how to present herself effectively in the job market.

“The CV sessions, mock interviews, and CV review were the most helpful. My CV was somewhat aligned with the market, but only about 70%. After Khatera advised me to tweak my CV and made corrections, it became properly aligned with market standards. That made a big difference.”

She also began to build her professional network and gain a better understanding of the current job market.

“I would say I started connecting with people on LinkedIn because of Kaneez. During one of her sessions, she advised us to start building connections.”

Preparing for Interviews

As part of the Job Brokerage support, Rammiya completed a mock interview shortly before attending a real interview. This preparation helped her feel more confident and ready.

“I had a mock interview with Liz, which was an incredibly valuable learning experience. Her detailed feedback helped me understand what I needed to improve. I feel very well prepared now. If I have an interview, I feel like I just need a couple of days to prepare, and I’m ready. That’s the level of confidence I have now.”

Securing a New Role

With the support of Grow and Job Brokerage, Rammiya secured a full-time position and recognises the role that preparation and support played in helping her succeed.

“I currently work as an MBM Specialist at a company called Inventors. My interview preparation played a big part, especially for the technical aspects. I prepared a lot for the interview. The mock interview session I had with Liz the day before my real interview was also extremely helpful.”

The Impact

Securing this role has made a meaningful difference in Rammiya’s life.

“Securing this job means a great deal to me because it allows me to support my family financially and also plan for my future. I am very happy and confident, and through these jobs, I may also be able to help my friends in the future if any opportunities arise. So personally, this role has had a very positive impact on multiple aspects of my life.”

Rammiya is now focused on continuing to grow and develop in her career.

“I’m motivated to continue learning because this role builds on what I was doing before, but now I’m at a Level 3 role. Before joining Grow, I was only doing freelance work and wasn’t thinking outside the box. After joining, I started understanding the market and the current work environment more clearly.

“All the credit goes to Grow. With the encouragement and support I received throughout the programme, I was able to secure my current role.”

Ireti Turns Setbacks into Success

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After losing her job in June 2025, Ireti spent months applying for roles without success. Despite having extensive experience in food safety, quality assurance and compliance, she found it difficult to secure employment.

“I applied for so many jobs but I was not being successful.I was very disappointed and hopeless.” said Ireti.

Ireti faced a number of barriers during her job search, including challenges around travel and how her experience was perceived by employers.

“First, my age was my biggest challenge, and where I live was another, travelling wasn’t easy for me as I don’t drive, so relying on public transport while searching for work was extremely difficult.”

She also found it difficult to communicate her experience in a way that resonated with employers.

“Sometimes, I wasn’t able to present myself in the way they expected, and I struggled to convince them that I would be good at the job until I came across Belina Grow.”

Finding Grow

Ireti first came across the Grow Team at a job fair at Uxbridge College. “They told me about the Job Brokerage project, and I thought it wasn’t for me. I told them, ‘I need a job, I’m so hopeless. Look at my age, nobody wants to employ me. But the way the team spoke to me made me think, ‘OK, if someone who doesn’t know me can see potential in me, maybe I should give myself another chance.’”

Building Skills and Confidence

Through Grow, Ireti accessed a range of support including CV workshops, interview masterclasses, mock interviews and application support.

“I received detailed feedback on my CV and used it to improve my application materials. I also had the opportunity to do a mock interview, which helped me a great deal. I kept all the feedback I received and have been using it to prepare for real interviews.

“I attended a session on how to fill out application forms, I didn’t know how to do it properly before. After the session, I realised how much I’d been doing wrong.”

She also developed key techniques such as using the STAR method and tailoring applications to job descriptions.

“The mock interview was especially valuable because it gave me real practice and feedback.”

A Shift in Mindset

Alongside practical skills, Ireti describes a significant shift in her confidence and mindset.

“My confidence has grown significantly… Now, when I go into an interview, I feel calm, prepared, and ready, not fearful or overwhelmed.”

Being part of a supportive environment also played an important role.

“Knowing I had guidance and being part of the group chat with others on the same journey made me feel less alone and more supported.”

Securing a New Role

Following this support, Ireti secured a full-time position.

“It is a full-time position as a QA/QC Technician with Borough Broth Company, a food processing company in Greenford.”

She credits the support she received as a key factor in her success.

“Without that support, I wouldn’t have known how to present my transferable skills effectively, and I likely wouldn’t have succeeded.”

Ireti is now focused on building stability and progressing in her new role. “I feel very positive about my future career prospects.”

Beyond employment, the impact has been wider.

“Now I wake up in the morning with somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to society.”

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.

How Grow is Helping Women in Kingston Take the Next Step Towards Work

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For the past 18 months, the Grow programme, delivered by Belina Grow, has been supporting women in Kingston through the Mayor of London funded Bridge project, helping women rebuild confidence, develop skills and move closer to employment.

The work is built on strong local partnerships. Grow works closely with Kingston Jobcentre, Twickenham Jobcentre, the Family Hub at Old Malden Children’s Centre, and Kingston Council, where Cameron King, Employment and Skills Programme Lead, has helped raise awareness of the programme across the borough.

Through the council, information about Grow is shared through community newsletters and on the Kingston Council website, and the programme is also promoted through the council’s Ask Nim AI tool, helping residents find local employment and skills support.

A key part of the project is Grow’s presence at Kingston Jobcentre, where women can meet Grow Employment Adviser Iryna {pictured} face-to-face.

“I attend the Jobcentre twice a month,” explains Iryna. “Job coaches refer women to us and sometimes they receive a message in their Universal Credit journal inviting them to get in touch. Some women prefer to meet in person so they can understand what the programme is about and how we can support them.”

During these sessions, Iryna takes time to understand each woman’s background and personal circumstances.

“We talk about their experience, their skills and their situation,” she says. “From that conversation we can identify what they need next and whether they would benefit from upskilling or training before looking for work.”

Many of the women Grow supports are mums with young children who are looking for flexible or part-time roles that fit around school hours and childcare. Others are returning to work after a break or have never worked in the UK before.

Through the Bridge project, Grow helps women explore training opportunities that can help them move forward.

“A lot of women decide to start with training,” says Iryna. “For example, many are interested in working in schools because the hours work well with family life.”

Teaching Assistant courses are one of the most popular pathways, helping women understand the role and build confidence to apply for school-based jobs. Grow also supports women to access ESOL and Functional Skills courses, often delivered through local providers such as Kingston College, helping them improve their English and develop essential workplace skills.

But the support offered through Grow goes beyond training.

Grow hosts monthly sessions in Kingston, supported by Kingston Council, where women come together, introduce themselves and share their experiences.

During these sessions, Iryna and Laura work together to provide different levels of support depending on what each woman needs.

“We start by asking women to introduce themselves and talk about their situation,” Iryna explains. “They often realise that other women are facing similar barriers. When they start sharing their experiences, it helps them understand their next step.”

For some women, that next step is support to build confidence, explore training opportunities and prepare for work. Others arrive already feeling ready to start applying for jobs. We look at which support pathway is right for them.

“Some women say they want to start with courses and build their confidence first,” says Iryna. “Others say they are ready to find work immediately.”

Women who are ready to move straight into employment can be supported through Grow’s Job Brokerage service, which works with them to identify suitable roles and support them through the application process.

By working this way, Grow is able to make sure women receive the right support at the right stage of their journey.

For many of the women attending the sessions in Kingston, Grow is often the first place, as well as a safe space, where they can talk openly about their goals and challenges.

By working alongside local partners and tailoring support to each woman’s circumstances, Grow is helping more women take practical steps towards employment and independence.

Supporting Women Back into Work with SWEET

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For the past seven years, Grow has delivered the SWEET Programme, supporting women who are furthest from the labour market to rebuild confidence, develop skills and take steps towards work.

Funded by the National Lottery and now entering its 10th year, SWEET supports women across London and is delivered in partnership between Grow (Belina Consulting), PDT, and Equi-Vision.

Saeema, who has been working on the SWEET programme since 2019, says many of the women who come to Grow face a combination of barriers when trying to enter or return to work.

“Many of the women we support haven’t worked for a long time, or they’ve never worked in the UK before. Some have qualifications or experience from their home country, but they don’t know how the system works here. Others have spent years raising children and now want to return to work but don’t know where to start.”

Women are referred to SWEET through a range of community partners including schools, children’s centres, job centres, charities and local community organisations, as well as through word of mouth. Once on the programme, they receive personalised one-to-one support alongside group sessions designed to build confidence, develop skills and help them understand how to access opportunities.

“One of the biggest barriers is experience,” Saeema explains. “Employers often ask for experience, but if someone hasn’t worked here before it can be difficult to get that first opportunity.”

To help overcome this, Grow works closely with local partners to connect women with volunteering opportunities and work experience, allowing them to gain practical experience while continuing to receive support with things like CV writing, interview preparation and job searching.

“We work with organisations such as H4All, Home-Start and other community groups. Volunteering gives women the chance to gain experience while still having the support they need to move forward.”

Most women stay on the programme for between six and nine months, although support can continue longer depending on individual needs. Advisers stay in regular contact, helping women stay motivated and setting small steps that move them closer to employment.

“It’s about giving people the time and space they need,” Saeema says. “Sometimes someone just needs help understanding how to apply for a job online or how to upload their CV. Other times it’s about building confidence and helping them believe they can do it.”

The programme also includes Grow Bootcamp sessions, delivered in community settings such as schools and children’s centres. These sessions help women explore their confidence, identify barriers and think about practical solutions for moving forward.

A key strength of Grow’s approach is the lived experience within the team itself. Many of the women who work with Grow are mothers and have faced similar challenges themselves, including balancing childcare, building confidence and returning to work after a break.

Saeema often delivers parts of the Grow Bootcamp in different community languages, helping women feel comfortable and fully included in the sessions.

“When women hear someone speaking their language and understanding their situation, they open up,” she explains. “They realise they’re not alone and that there are ways forward.”

For many women, the programme is about more than just finding a job. It’s about understanding the systems around them, building confidence and gaining the skills they need to move forward independently.

“A lot of the women we meet have so much ability and experience,” Saeema says. “They just don’t always realise it themselves. Once they begin to see what they are capable of, it can really change how they move forward.”

Through personalised support, community partnerships and a deep understanding of the barriers women face, the SWEET programme continues to help women take meaningful steps into employment, volunteering and further learning, creating lasting impact for families and communities across London.

Grow Job Brokerage – Supporting women into real jobs across London

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We’re proud to be delivering the Get Ready for Work Job Brokerage, funded by the Mayor of London, supporting women across London to move into meaningful, sustainable employment.

This programme is designed for women who are ready to work, and who deserve the right support at the right moment to make that happen.

The women joining this programme are diverse. They are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. They come from a wide range of heritage backgrounds. Some are returning after long gaps. Some are changing careers. Some are balancing childcare. Some are managing health conditions or disabilities. Some are navigating the realities of settlement status and what that means for work options. They are capable and motivated and with the right support, they can move forward.

For many of the women we support, being ‘ready to work’ does not mean the journey is straightforward. Confidence may have taken knocks. Childcare arrangements can be complex. Settlement status can affect what’s financially possible. Health conditions or disability can shape what work feels sustainable. And we are regularly told that job searching can feel incredibly lonely, especially if networks are limited.

This is where the Grow Job Brokerage makes the difference.

A programme built around outcomes

The difference with this programme is focus. As Khatera, who leads engagement for the project, explains:

“This programme is very focused on jobs. We are not here just to improve confidence or run general sessions. Everything we do is about helping women find work. From the first phone call, we make sure they are ready and willing. Then the two-week intensive is about action – CVs, applications, interviews, networking, using AI properly. It’s very practical and its designed for job outcomes.”

Participants complete a two-week online intensive, followed by personalised one-to-one support and ongoing job brokerage. Mock interviews are a key part of that journey and often a turning point, as Khatera describes:

“After the mock interview, we really see a difference. We build that connection and trust. I give detailed feedback – question by question – what they said and what they could have said differently. One woman told me, ‘I’m going to print this feedback and use it for every interview.’ After that, they go into interviews differently. They feel prepared and supported and they believe they can do it.”

The reality for the women we support

Laura, who works closely with participants, delivering intensive one-to-one support and running group sessions in Kingston with support from the London Borough of Kingston’s, Cameron King and the local Jobcentre says that support from other women has an important role to play.

“Our group sessions at Kingston provides a space where women share their experiences of job searching, support one another, and realise they are not alone. They might have applied for hundreds of jobs. They might have got down to the final two out of 300 applicants and still not got it. That knocks your confidence. And if you’re a mother, or you’re navigating childcare eligibility, or you’re on a visa, the stakes feel even higher. Having someone alongside you saying ‘You’re doing well, keep going’ really matters.”

Many of the women joining the Job Brokerage have been out of work for years. Some are changing careers. Some are already working a few hours but want more stable employment. Some are managing disabilities or long-term health conditions.

One participant supported by Khatera had not worked in seven years and has now secured a part-time job of six hours a week. For someone who hasn’t worked in seven years, six hours is a beginning and provides an income, confidence, and proof that work is possible again and a great starting point to grow and develop from.

Working with employers

We are working with the Mayor of London’s Good People Jobs Board and we are also building relationships with employers, including routes into the NHS. We are particularly grateful to the Imperial Health Charity NHS Volunteering Programme who have been a tremendous support.

One of the most powerful examples of the impact of the Job Brokerage programme is a woman supported by Laura and Khatera into the NHS. She had previously done short-term roles but had never secured a stable, permanent position.

Through Job Brokerage, she strengthened her CV, prepared thoroughly for interviews, and accessed a volunteering pathway linked to NHS recruitment. Laura reflects:

“We worked intensively on her CV, not just writing it, but really thinking about her key skills and how to demonstrate them. Then we did mock interviews. When she was invited to interview, we prepared again. It wasn’t just about paperwork. It was about helping her see what she had to offer.”

She is now in a permanent NHS role, an organisation known for training, progression and long-term opportunity. A route into something sustainable.

Whilst Grow has long supported women to get ready for work, what makes this project distinctive is its intensity and its job-first focus. It is about supporting women who are close to work but stuck – and helping them secure something real.

We are proud of the women stepping forward, proud of the team delivering it, and grateful for the Mayor of London funding that enables this focused, practical support.