Sue's Personal Experience Of Women & Work

In 2002 Sue said:
“A chance remark brought me to Women & Work nearly two years ago, at what was the lowest point in my life. After being a full time carer for the previous five years, the death of my Husband had left me a nonentity and lost.

I came along to the first interview bringing my Daughter and Granddaughter for support. The first course was Return to Paid Work with the Lone Parents Project. I remember being pathetically grateful for the label of Lone Parent, something I hadn't recognised till then.

I went on to gain computer skills and the Interpersonal Skills Course helped to lay more than a few Ghosts. I gained practical experience through volunteering, and was given many opportunities and met a lot of people I wouldn't normally have had the chance to.

Last year I became part of the Volunteer Project, which offers six months on the job training along side formal training. I did my training in the Advice & Guidance Drop In, as an Advice & Information Assistant. Since my time with the project has finished, I have carried on in the Advice & Guidance Drop In and have also done outreach work. Last week I became Women & Works representative in the Assist Library Project.

During the time I've been with Women & Work whenever I've had a crisis of confidence, and I've had a few, the empathy and support from Staff and other Delegates have been fantastic. A client summed up Women & Work for me this week, after coming to see us on Monday and taking away the guidance pack. She came back Thursday and asked to go on the Fresh Start course. That was what Women & Work was for me and is for hundreds of other Women a FRESH START.”

I came to Women and Work in September 2000 and did my first course later that month.

I started volunteering in November 2000 and started the Volunteer project in 2001.

In July 2002 I became the representative with the Assist Project.

The following February I was employed by Women and Work as the Assessment and Review of Training Officer working closely with Shameem Ali Training manager on the Wider Opportunities for Women project.

Alongside this I was employed for 5 hours a week as support worker on the Ethnic Women's Training & Employment Opportunities project working with Jess Madge, the project manager.

In 2005 I was employed under the Learning & Skills Council funding as Information, Advice and Guidance Adviser/ Support Officer.

In 2007 I became the Support Officer for the SCOOP project funded by Milton Keynes Council.