Leah’s Story

Leah (21)

Leah had been claiming Job Seekers Allowance for nearly a year and never worked before. She had tried different courses in the past but wasn’t sure what direction to take. She came to Nottingham Women’s Centre to receive guidance to help her with her future.

“I came to the Women’s Centre because I needed someone to help me get into work and I wanted to build up my confidence. I had never had a job and the last course I’d tried I hadn’t finished; I didn’t know what to try next and didn’t know where to start. My advisor supported me to identify my skills and interests and helped me to set achievable goals. I had decided that it was retail that I wanted to get into, preferably in a fashion environment.

I received help to update my CV, create a cover letter, job search online and apply for the vacancies I wanted to go for. I found this really helpful as I had always hated filling out application forms, I never knew what to write but my advisor helped me practice applications until it became easy. We were sending of so many application forms but not having any luck. My advisor suggested that I look into other job options that used similar skills as retail. Together we looked into hospitality and I realised I could do this job too. She found me a Customer Service and Hospitality training course. I was so nervous about going along and meeting new people but my advisor gave me the encouragement to go along. I really enjoyed it and learned lots of new skills for work. I then went on a retail training course too so I know had the skills to do both jobs and had lots to put on my CV.

I was job searching for over a year. If it wasn’t for the support of the Women’s Centre I’m not sure I would have had the motivation to keep looking in the way that I did. The final course I completed was ‘A Gentle Introduction into Getting That Job’. I learned interview skills and had a mock interview; this really prepared me to go to real interviews which I had been so nervous about before.

I was successful at getting a part-time job in Hospitality and could not believe it when I got the call. I am also about to start a fashion retail course so that I can achieve a qualification in my main area of interest and hopefully be successful in my chosen career in the future.

The encouragement I received helped my confidence in doing what I actually wanted to do. I was listened to and supported to achieve my own goals.”