Working around childcare - Nicole’s story

Taking part in the Restart Scheme helped Nicole realise her full potential to get back into employment.

When Nicole attended her first appointment, she struggled to hold conversations and was anxious and nervous. However, after a few sessions with her Employment Adviser Jade, this soon became a thing of the past.

Nicole’s main concerns were the uncertainties around whether she could afford childcare and whether she would be financially better off while working. Jade helped Nicole by completing a Better Off Calculation to show how being in work would benefit her financially and exploring the hours of free childcare available to her through a government scheme.

Nicole took part in several of our in-house courses whilst on the Restart Scheme, which assisted with her employability, literacy and interview skills to get her ‘job ready’. Nicole particularly benefitted from our Job Sectors course to help her identify which sector she’d be interested in working.

Nicole said:

“I started the Restart Scheme recently and Jade was amazing. She gave me the confidence to find my new role in the care sector, utilising my chatty personality and helpful nature! I’m very excited to start my new role. Thank you again!”

Nicole started her new job on a 10-hour contract and has since progressed onto a full-time role, which was a focus of hers. She remains happy and keeps in contact with her Employment Adviser for ongoing in-work support.