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Tracey takes heart from work placement

Posted on 11 May 2009.

Tracey said, “I have really enjoyed the 13 week programme, it has helped improve my skills”

Tracey has always suffered with low self esteem. Her confidence and self belief were none existent before Steps to Work found her a placement at the British Heart Foundation in Walsall.

As a child, Tracey was bullied at school. This has always affected Tracey’s confidence and has struggled to believe in herself ever since. Needless to say, Tracey left school without any qualifications and no clear direction on what she wanted to do with her life.

Referred to Steps to Work by Sarah Miles, Job Centre Plus advisor, Tracey was placed on the IAP WEX programme to help with her confidence and literacy and numeracy. Tracey’s placement officer, Nicky Matthews, advised and listened to Tracey to see which work placement she would be comfortable trying.

There was a volunteering opportunity at the British Heart Foundation shop and Tracey decided to give it ago. “I have really enjoyed the 13 week programme, it has helped improve my skills”, says Tracey, “I feel I have the confidence now to learn an NVQ in retail, which I want to have a go at.”

Throughout the weeks on programme at Steps to Work, Tracey has successfully achieved a Health and Safety certificate and is enjoying her placement at the British Heart Foundation where she is learning numeracy and communication skills, boosting her confidence and giving herself something to aim for.