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Manicured future for lone parent

Manicured future for lone parent

Samantha said, “I am very excited and I have found a new me from getting the right advice and guidance from the Parent Engagement Programme and the Walsall ‘One Stop’ Shops. They have given me an opportunity I wouldn’t of otherwise had”

Samantha had been on benefits for the last 2 years, after the birth of her son Mckenzie.

Before then, Samantha had been working as a Housekeeper for the Premier Inn. Samantha wanted to start working again desperately and wanted a career that would provide her with flexibility and financial support needed to raise her young family.

Before Samantha engaged with Steps to Work’s Parent Engagement Advisor, it was clear from her meeting at local Sure Start Children’s Centre, Samantha severely lacked in confidence and self belief. “I had become stuck in a rut and I didn’t know where to turn to for support, I wanted to stop claiming benefits long term but starting something new and having the time to invest in myself was proving to be difficult’ added Samantha.

Samantha was referred to the Multi Agency ‘One Stop’ Shops in Bloxwich, Walsall where she was provided with a cup of tea and an informal chat to discuss her situation and identify what her interests where and what she could see herself doing to generate an income. Samantha was interested in taking part in some taster courses as there where many different careers and job options she felt could work for her and most importantly fit around her family. ‘I want to find a suitable job that can work for me and my family and having the option to trail different things im not committing myself to something I might not enjoy’ commented Samantha.

After attending several different taster days, Samantha trialled a Nail Art session, which she really enjoyed and could see appointment times fitting nicely around her family life. The Parent Engagement Programme soon arranged for Samantha to enrol on a 10 week Nail Technician course which would provide her with the skills, knowledge and qualification needed to kick start her new career. The course cost around £750 to complete and Samantha is due to finish in September 2011.