THE CHALLENGES:

Tracey had left her previous job in 2019, just before Covid hit.

A combination of factors – including the pandemic, health reasons and raising a family – meant she never returned to the workplace.

She said: “I decided now is the time to find work. Partly for my own sanity – to get out of the house, meet new people and feel like myself again.”

However, after such a long break, Tracey felt she lacked “a little bit of confidence and direction” when it came to finding work.

THE EMPOWER HER JOURNEY:

Having previously attended Work Avenue courses on social media and interview skills, Tracey was impressed with the support and guidance she had received.

So when she saw details of the Empower Her programme – designed to help women like her back into work – Tracey applied.

She said: “The course was fantastic – it gave me the motivation and the kick up the backside I need to go out and try to find work. It was also good to meet people in similar situations and share our experiences.”

THE IMPACT:

The key impact of Empower Her on Tracey was renewing her confidence and showing her that she’s not alone.

She said: “Knowing that you are not on your own, and that there is help out there if you need it, is amazing.”

Tracey is now applying for work – feeling much more self-assured. She is also receiving ongoing one-to-one advice from the Work Avenue team on those aspects, like writing a covering letter, where she still wants support.

She concluded: “I am confident that, thanks to Work Avenue, 2025 is the year I find a great job!”