Gina's Story

My name is Gina Williams, let me tell you a story.

I had been signing on at the job centre for some months before an advisor (a man) told me about Women and Work, and after a few hiccups I eventually got here.

I felt pretty worthless, useless and dejected. I had sent out many applications but had only received a couple of responses which made me feel even worse. I wasn't worth writing to! Needless to say I didn't get to the interview stage let alone get a job. One main obstacle was my I.T skills - I had none, well very little.

I first saw Jayne who was very kind to me, quickly did the paperwork and suggested some courses; little did I know how this one step was going to change my life.

I started the fresh start course and Joan was the tutor, I quickly realised why I wasn't getting replies! I was still sending out C.V's how I was shown at school and that was a considerable number of years ago!

As the course progressed I felt like I was gaining some confidence, but didn't realise just how much. Looking back now I had come on leaps and bounds.

The camaraderie in the group was brilliant, very supportive of each other and although we came from different walks of life all had common aims; to gain confidence and get back to work - hopefully. To have an outlet and safe place to say how we felt and what we wanted, about all manner of things from the sublime to the ridiculous. This was a real journey for me and all the time we were guided, jogged and cajoled by the hard work and care of Joan.

Then I went on to Interpersonal Skills with Avril, some points of the course were a bit painful but I still benefited from this course. As in the course before the camaraderie and support we gave each other was invaluable, especially through the tears. But there was much laughter too and I think we all benefited from the relaxation section every week. All of course guided and watched over with immense input by Avril.

I also have taken advantage of other half day or one day short courses run by other organisations like MIND.

Uzma was 'allocated as my advisor' poor thing, we have had some quite jovial meetings whilst doing the paperwork. Actually, as time has gone on I feel 'normal' and can laugh and interact with all the staff here.

I was looking at doing some voluntary work and Women and Work asked if I'd like to help out at he job club on Wednesday's with Helen. She was brill, so patient and made computers easier for a technophobe like me.

All the time I have been here I have had unwavering support of tutors, admin and helpers, and I could never thank them all enough for their unstinting work and efforts on my / our behalf.

I did get a response to a job eventually, it took just over two months to get, after a very unorthodox and un-business like set of sporadic e-mails and interview. By the time I started the job I felt like I had known my manager for a very long time!

It was a bit of a roller coaster. One minute I thought I had the job, the next I didn't. I think Joan could have pulled her hair out but she didn't, she always had a good word or answer to what I saw as a problem. That was nearly three months ago, I am loving it.

Sometimes through life you say / think something but don't know if you're right / wrong. Or people dismiss you / what you say. So it was really reassuring on the I.P.S course to find that others thought / felt the same, and Avril was excellent at finding examples which rang bells with all of us.

The groups were just the right size and although we were all from different walks of life, we all had one common aim - to better ourselves, and Women and Work helped and allowed us to do that.

Uzma let me read something she had written about me. I t was how she viewed my journey. I was both flattered and humbled by the way others view me, I am grateful for her support. Like many women past, present and I am sure in the future. I have had many challenges and obstacles to overcome and am sure this is a work in progress, but I am getting there and I know where I'm going.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Women and Work tutors, admin and helpers.

Like someone once said - Never have so many benefited from so few.