AI Confidence Boost Helps Banupriya Step Back into Work

Posted on by heathercette

After a career break to care for her two children, Banupriya is now back in work as an Accounts and Compliance Executive for an energy company and says the support she received from Grow, especially around using AI, made all the difference.

Banupriya first joined Grow more than six months ago after attending a local jobs fair. “I saw the Grow stand and decided to sign up,” she said. She stayed engaged through the Grow app, using it to access online workshops and sessions. One of the most transformative sessions for her was an AI workshop focused on CVs and cover letters. “I didn’t know how to tailor a CV or use AI tools before, but the session showed me how to take what I already had and use it effectively,” she said. “That session was a turning point for me.”

In addition to the AI workshop, Banupriya also enrolled on a digital marketing course through Grow, saying she wanted to better understand a growing field. “Everywhere I looked, I saw digital marketing, so I joined the course to explore what it was all about.”

Originally trained in accounting, Banupriya had worked as a bookkeeper before taking time off to raise her children. “I tried going back to work during COVID, but once my husband returned to the office after lockdown, it was difficult to juggle work with the children,” she explained. Banupriya decided to upskill to improve her employability prospects in the future and went on to complete an AAT Level 3 qualification, although she still struggled to re-enter the workforce until she connected with Grow.

“The support I received was amazing, from job alerts to motivational messages and tailored workshops,” she said. “The variety of sessions meant I could choose what I needed at the time.”

Now back in employment and completing her induction, Banupriya is feeling optimistic. “Grow gave me tools, knowledge, and confidence. I’m really grateful for their support, it helped me turn things around.”

 

Pakeeza Finds Confidence and Full-Time Work with Support from Grow

Posted on by heathercette

Pakeeza, who lives in Hillingdon, has just secured a full-time job as a General Assistant with an airline catering company near Heathrow – a brilliant achievement she credits in part to the confidence she gained through the Grow programme.

Previously working part-time while studying at university, Pakeeza found herself out of work after returning from a trip abroad and was referred to Grow by her Jobcentre. “They said Grow could help with preparing for work or starting a course and that’s exactly what I needed.”

Through Grow, Pakeeza completed Functional Skills in English and Maths and attended in-person workshops and online sessions to build her employability. “Before Grow, I had no idea how to write a CV properly or what kind of questions might come up in an interview,” she said. “They gave me so much support, from CV tailoring to cover letters and interview preparation. I didn’t even know you were supposed to change your CV for each job!”

When she spotted a vacancy for a General Assistant at a catering company on Indeed, Pakeeza applied independently but with her new skills and confidence, she was ready. “I had a phone interview, then an in-person one at the company, plus a hygiene test and other paperwork. Because I’d done this kind of work before, I knew what to expect, and Grow had prepared me for the rest.”

The job is exactly what Pakeeza was looking for, full-time work in a familiar setting with a clear pathway forward. “I have been placed in the Production Department but I’m happy to be flexible and learn where I fit best.”

Looking back, Pakeeza says the biggest thing she gained from Grow was belief in herself. “They really built my confidence. I didn’t just learn how to apply for jobs, I understood how to present myself and feel ready for interviews. It made all the difference.”

 

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

Posted on by heathercette

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Merlyn Gains Confidence and Plans for a Future in Teaching

Posted on by heathercette

Merlyn moved to the UK two and a half years ago with her two children and is now looking to upskill and find a job with the support of Grow. Although she has not worked in the UK yet, she volunteers every afternoon at her children’s school and her dream is to get into paid work as a Teaching Assistant. Grow is he8iujlping her grow her skills and confidence along the way.

Merlyn said “I found out about the Grow programme through the Hillingdon Council website while I was searching for jobs and courses. I hadn’t worked in the UK before, but I am volunteering at my children’s school, and I wanted to find a job or take some training that could help me get started.

In India, I did my post-graduation in Zoology and a Master of Philosophy in Education. But when I applied for jobs here in the UK, employers told me I needed to do relevant courses or qualifications in the UK. That’s when I contacted Grow and joined the programme.

Since joining Grow, I’ve attended the Bootcamp, some online sessions such as the Coffee Mornings, and a one-day Leadership Training course in Paddington run by PDT. The Leadership course taught me about the different styles of leadership and how to be confident as a leader. I enjoyed it very much.

I’m interested in working in a school, especially as a Teaching Assistant. I am interested in undertaking more courses, especially courses that will enable me to work in schools. I already have about four months of volunteering experience at my children’s school where I volunteer every weekday from 1pm to 3.20pm. I work with small groups of children, helping them with simple maths like addition and subtraction and with grammar in English. I enjoy it so much and it’s helping me get ready for a paid job in the future.

Grow has given me confidence and made me feel supported. I check the Grow app which is great for giving me job ideas as one of the things I’ve found difficult is understanding roles in jobs and whether I am suited to them. The Grow app helps with this because it provides advice about different jobs and what they are. My goal is to get a job that fits around my children and gives me the chance to use the skills I already have and having the support of Grow to help me on this journey is so helpful.

 

Yevheniia Gets a Job and Training

Posted on by heathercette

Yevheniia moved to the UK from Ukraine in 2022 and is now working hard to gain experience and build a career in education. Through Grow she was encouraged to undertake a Level 1 Teaching Assistant Course with Runway Training and she has recently started working in a local pub as bar staff.

Yevheniia said “I moved to the UK in March 2022 from Ukraine. I worked at a university in my country and now I want to work in a school in the UK. I know I need to get experience and improve my English, so I am taking steps to do this.

Since joining Grow in the spring, I have taken part in many things. I really love the Grow App – it helps me so much. I even won a prize in the spring photo competition after sending a photo from Kew Gardens. That made me happy and gave me confidence.

I wanted to find a job and join some courses. At first, I wanted to do a childcare course, then one of the Grow advisers called me and told me about a Teaching Assistant course with Runway Training. I said yes straight away. I am now doing the Level 1 Teaching Assistant course – it is online and this is my second day. It is very useful and it is helping me feel more confident.

Because of this confidence, I went to a local pub and asked if they had a job. They said yes! Now I am working as bar staff. I started the job on the 8th of May. Before this, I worked as a cleaner and kitchen porter. This is my first job as bar staff, and I am learning new things.

The Grow team has helped me so much. Iryna is my adviser and she is very kind. She is Ukrainian and she helped me fill out forms and always gave me advice. All the Grow advisers are helpful. The Grow App is brilliant – I used it to prepare for my interview and I found many useful things there.

I want to keep learning and maybe do Level 2 Teaching Assistant course next. I also want to keep coming to Grow sessions like the coffee mornings as it makes me feel part of something and gives me support.

 

Valency Gets a Job as an SMSA

Posted on by heathercette

At GRoW, we support women who want to return to work but may feel unsure about how to start again. Whether they’ve been raising children, juggling family life, or just haven’t had the confidence to take that first step, our team is here to help with friendly, practical support.

Valency recently started her new role as a School Meals Supervisory Assistant in Hounslow. She’d been out of work since 2022 after the birth of her second child. With help from the Grow Programme, she built her confidence, refreshed her skills, and secured a job that works for her family.

Valency said “After my second baby, I stayed at home and wasn’t working since 2022 when I had an admin job. I wanted to get back to work, but I had lost a lot of confidence. It’s not easy when you’ve been home with the kids – you start thinking maybe you can’t do it anymore. But I knew I had to try.

I found out about the Grow Programme and joined the Preparing to Work in Schools course – it was a Level 2 course and I really enjoyed it. I learned so much, especially about safeguarding children and protecting privacy. That part really stuck with me and gave me relevant knowledge.

Khatera was my advisor and she helped me with everything – my CV, interview tips, all the documents I needed. I had a mock interview with Karen too, which made such a big difference. Most of the questions I got in the real interview were just like the ones we practised, so I was ready.

I found the job on the Hounslow Council website – I just kept looking and applying like Khatera told me. She kept encouraging me, saying don’t give up, just keep trying. And she was right – I got the job!

I’m working now as a School Meals Supervisory Assistant. I started a few weeks ago and it’s going really well. It’s term time, Monday to Friday, and the hours fit perfectly with my family. My husband works evenings so I work in the mornings and he can look after our little one. It works for us.

The Grow community really helped me build myself up again. I joined the online workshops – the coffee mornings, the interview workshops – they were so helpful. I didn’t get to join everything, but I got a lot from the ones I did. I used the Grow app too, which gives you lots of updates and useful info.

“I’d say to other women – go for it. Confidence is so important and Grow was there to help and support me, and helped me feel ready. I am feeling very happy now.”

Ada Finds Confidence and Work with Grow

Posted on by heathercette

Ada moved to the UK from Nigeria three years ago and spent a long time trying to find work. It was not easy starting again in a new country, but with the support of the Grow programme, she has now found a flexible cleaning job that fits around her family life, is feeling more confident and is looking ahead to her future prospects.

Ada said “I first heard about Grow through my son’s school. They sent me an email about the programme and because I was already looking for a job, I thought I would give it a try. I didn’t really know how things worked in the UK job market, so I needed help.

Before I moved to the UK, I worked in Nigeria doing admin work and also cleaning jobs. But here, I hadn’t worked for nearly three years. I felt like I had lost confidence.

Joining Grow gave me a new start. I joined some sessions in person at my child’s school, like the Bootcamp, and I’ve also been to lots of online sessions like the Coffee Mornings, the CV workshop, and the Interview workshop. These were all really helpful.

Grow helped me make a proper CV and taught me how to apply for jobs. I found my job on Indeed, and I used my new CV from Grow to apply. I got the job! It’s a cleaning job and it gives me time to take care of my child too. I can choose my own hours, which is perfect.

Even though I’m working now, I still come to Grow sessions because I want to keep learning and maybe do more training in the future. I’m still hoping to get a better job one day, and Grow is helping me step by step.

The best thing about Grow is that it has helped me feel more confident and I was part of a community with other mums like me. I’m really happy I joined.

 

Fajer Finds the Right Role with Grow

Posted on by heathercette

Fajer joined the Grow programme in November 2024 after meeting the team at her child’s school. At the time, she was experiencing a difficult period in her life, having recently lost her brother, for whom she had been a full-time carer. She was also looking to return to work after a career break to care for her young child. Five months later, with consistent support from Grow and her own persistence, she secured a job with the London Ambulance Service as a Healthcare Adviser.

Fajer said “When I saw Laura and Liz from the Grow team at my son’s school, I went to speak to them to find out more. I was really down at the time and just wanted to do anything to get out of that place in my head. They explained the programme, registered me on the app, and showed me how to access weekly job links. I started applying through the app and other portals and even got offered some roles.

“Initially, I was looking for remote roles which is what I’d done during COVID. But most jobs I saw were asking for recent experience, which was hard because I had a gap in my CV. I did get offered some jobs however but they were not quite right for me and Laura’s guidance had encouraged me to really think about my choices, so I persevered.

“Karen supported me with my CV. She told me I had the right skills, but the format needed work. She completely restructured it and tailored it for healthcare roles. I had two CV sessions with her, and that made a real difference.

“When I got through the first stage of interviews with the London Ambulance Service, Laura connected me with Kaneez who referred me to Smart Works for interview coaching and clothing. The session there helped me prepare for my final interview stage. The coach I spoke to had experience in healthcare and gave me insight into the types of questions I might be asked. That preparation helped me feel more confident.

“The job I’ve now secured is part-time—two days a week—which works well for me now that I have some family support at home. It’s not remote, but it is relevant to my past experience working in GP surgeries and NHS call centres.”

“Looking back, when I first joined Grow I wasn’t clear on exactly what I wanted, I just knew I needed to do something. Laura helped me take a step back and focus on making the right decision instead of rushing. That advice helped shape my approach.”

“Grow gave me structure and direction at a time when I needed it. From CV support and job links to interview preparation and referrals, the team were always there with practical help.”

 

Regina Completes Helping Children with Maths Course

Posted on by heathercette

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elisa Starts Work at Wilko

Posted on by heathercette

Elisa joined the GRoW Programme in March 2024 and has now started a new part-time job in retail at Wilko. Elisa has been supported throughout her journey to work by her Adviser, Sheeja. Together they worked on her CV, job applications, and building her confidence. Elisa has shown real determination and has taken important steps towards building a better future for herself and her daughter.

Elisa said “I joined GRoW a year ago. At the time, I wasn’t working and I wasn’t sure where to start. I have worked before — I did packing jobs through an agency and worked at Poundland — but I lost my job when I was pregnant. That was back in 2022, so I had been out of work for a while.

I wanted to work again, but it felt hard. I have a young daughter who is 2 years old, and I’m also on pre-settled status, which makes things more complicated sometimes. I didn’t know what support I could get or how to find a job that would fit around my life.

Sheeja from GRoW really helped me. She really went above and beyond. She worked with me to update my CV and apply for jobs, checking in with me and encouraging me to keep going. She helped me get a reference, which is really important when you haven’t worked for a while. She also helped me by advocating for me, speaking with other people and authorities on my behalf to help me when I needed to find new accommodation.

She personally helped me with job searching by telephoning me and inviting me in to the office to support me in applying online, through Indeed and other sites. I didn’t have much luck but then one day, I was out shopping and I saw a sign at Wilko saying they were hiring. I went in, filled out the form, and gave them my CV. A few days later, they called and offered me the job.

I now work part-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm. My daughter is in nursery and I pay a little extra so she can stay the extra hour while I work. It’s not always easy, but I’m proud to be working again.
GRoW has helped me a lot, especially Sheeja. She gave me support when I needed it most and helped me feel more confident. I’m really happy to be back at work and I feel more positive about the future.”