Success Story – Lorraine
The participant has agreed for her real name to be used.
I feel so much happier in myself and hope in the future to do more training and work my way up through the school to become a Teaching Assistant, which is my dream job. I now have a much more positive mindset and refuse to be dragged down by others again.”
Lorraine’s feedback on support received through the programme and from her Building Bridges Support Worker.
Lorraine was referred to the Building Bridges Programme by the SENCO (Special Education Needs Co-ordinator) at her child’s school. Lorraine was struggling with low confidence and was unable to find employment, despite knowing what she wanted to do.
On joining the programme, Lorraine was experiencing money worries and family problems. She wanted to secure employment but needed practical support and guidance to help her achieve this goal. Lorraine had also experienced domestic abuse in a previous relationship and received support from Spurgeons to complete a range of courses to help her.
With support from the programme, Lorraine secured a part-time job as a Midday Supervisor (MDS) at a school and hopes to become a Teaching Assistant in future.
Lorraine said:
“I felt the support was very valuable and has definitely given me stepping stones to believe in myself and not listen to people that want to bring me down and don’t believe in me. I now have a much more positive mindset and refuse to be dragged down by others again.
It has been fantastic to have the support and now have a job offer outcome as an MDS at a local primary school. When I had the interview, it felt like a really good energy at the school, and I can’t wait to start there and have new colleagues and make new friends. I feel more confident and optimistic towards the future and know that I have got what it takes to progress and stick up for myself more.
I feel so much happier in myself and hope in the future to do more training and work my way up through the school to become a Teaching Assistant, which is my dream job. I will also get to work with children with special educational needs, which I am looking forward to doing. I would not have been able to do other jobs that required evening or weekend working but this will work around the needs of my children, school hours and school holidays.
I have been genuinely happy with my key worker Gayle. She has done an amazing job, which I know isn’t always easy and can be time-consuming. She is full of positivity and encouragement and is an asset to everyone in the community.
I would 100% recommend Building Bridges as it is very valuable and brought me out of myself and has had a positive outcome. I hope the programme carries on benefiting and helping others.”
“I have seen a great change in my sister. She has been so much more positive and hopeful where job prospects are concerned. For many years, not being accepted for jobs that she really had an interest for, it really got her down. I myself have been in this position and it can make you feel alone and powerless. I am so glad that she accepted help and support because as her sister I know she has a lovely nature and will be a benefit to any employer. I have always felt that my sister just needed that one employer willing to give her a chance and one who could see beyond the fact she hadn’t been working for several years due to being a single mum. An employer who could see her potential. I am a great believer in ‘chances’ and I have spent many years in the working sector and seen that it really does pay off giving someone who is down on themselves, that helping hand. I truly believe my sister will thrive in her new role. I am not saying that because she is my sister but because I know they will see the same qualities in Lorraine that I have had the pleasure in seeing my entire life.”
Feedback from Lorraine’s sister