Jackie's Story

About six years ago I was at home with a toddler, and one child at primary school. The break from my secretarial career seemed as if it would last forever. I had suffered postnatal depression after both pregnancies, and my self confidence and positive attitude was at an all time low. I was then in my thirties with everything to look forward too, or so everybody else kept telling me. I couldn't see it myself.

I cannot remember how I came to find out about the Women and Work Group, but I started going to the drop-in sessions at Acorn House, which was just what I needed to boost my moral. It was ideal, as you could take your children with you to leave in their free crèche. I started to build up confidence and look forward to meeting the other women doing the same thing as me. I took the online career deciding questionnaire, which in itself is another way your mind can be broadened to the other, and maybe different, career opportunites suited to your abilities and interests.

One school half term I took advantage of the free week course to 'write your own webpage in HTML' offered by Women and Work. It was something I was interested in, but would never have done anything about it otherwise. A free crèche was provided, and I didn't realise then how much fun I was going to have. Jill was an absolutely brilliant and witty tutor! I still remember her (and her dog she talked about) to this very day. I can quite honestly say that it was Jill's 'positive mental attitude' and her ability to make the course subject understandable which got me through the course.

Well, once both my children were in fulltime education a few years later, I went back to work into an admin role, but never forgot about the HTML course I had taken. Then two years ago, an opportunity arose where I work to apply for a different admin role which would include the editing of the firm's website. I was interviewed, and was successful due, amongst other attributes, to my HTML course taken with Women and Work. My web editing workload has got much busier, but I have kept up with demand being always eager to learn, to the point that I am now the main website editor for the firm, together with two subsidary websites, and the firm's new intranet.

I am always happy to go to work, love my job, and would never be here without Women and Work Group's support. My children have grown up learning that mum can work, and still be there for them.

Kind regards and, to all at Women and Work, keep up the good service!

Jackie