Aspire to achieve

Location: Newport, South Wales

Job title: Retail assistant

“When I meet new people and recount how my life used to be, they always seem surprised at the story. I had been unemployed for many years as I was the main carer for my late husband and elderly mother. I also have five children, so as you can imagine I was run off my feet at the family home. I had no motivation or aspiration of finding a life outside of my home."

“When my husband passed away I didn’t really know what my future would be. I thought the chance of ever being ready to work again was remote. I became agoraphobic. I didn’t like to leave the house, let alone go out and have the confidence to start interacting with people again. It’s true to say that I was disconnected from the outside world."

“Being unemployed for a long time meant that I was referred to one of Serco’s Flexible New Deal providers called ITEC. After a few appointments with them, I did start to come out of my shell a little. At the time, Poundland retail store was offering work trials through ITEC, and they thought this would safely ease me back into a more social environment."

“Within 24 hours, I had taken my Poundland induction course and had set to work. The work trial lasted a week, and much to my surprise the store manager told me that he was so impressed with my enthusiasm and commitment that he offered me a job."

“Almost two years on, my life has had a dramatic turnaround and it would be true to say that I don’t recall how I could have ever been content with life under the old conditions. I feel like I wasted too much of my life being out of work."

“I’ve now been on holiday twice and have interests outside the home. I’ve learnt how to ride a bike and encouraged my children to do the same. I’ve even joined a ladies’ darts team – we’re not bad either."

“During the time I was claiming unemployment benefit I went on several back-to-work programmes, but it’s Serco’s Flexible New Deal programme that really made the difference to my life.”