Sheila's Story

I would like to thank the Women & Work Group for its help over these last few weeks and for what they have done for me in the past.

I first came across W&W when I had just moved to Milton Keynes from Hampshire with my family. I had been out of touch with office work for sometime, as I had been bringing up my family and I felt that the job market had moved on without me.

Through W&W during 2001/2002, I was able to attend:

• Return to Paid Work Course, which enabled me to see in which direction I wished my working life to go in and how I could get there. The course taught me job search skills, including CV writing, completion of job application forms and effective interview skills. These skills were coupled with confidence building techniques and exercises. I finished the course feeling of worth to future employers and with a belief that I had skills as a mother, which were of value and could be transferred to the workplace.
• The Introduction to Inter Personal Skills Course, which followed, gave me sound training for good communication skills not only in the workplace, with colleagues and customer care, but also in other areas of my life. With each course, I felt more empowered and my confidence grew.
• CLAIT 1 and IBT 2 courses followed, which enabled. me to update my computer skills and, as with the previous courses, provided me with a certificate to show future employers of nay competence.

In. the autumn of 2002 I successfully secured my job within. the Inland Revenue, having succeeded at application, ability test and interview stage and negotiated a part time contract to suit my family's needs. It therefore came as a great disappointment when in January I was informed that all the PAYE work in the southeast was being moved to Scotland and that I was to be made surplus.

In facing an uncertain job future and realising that in over three years the job market would have moved on, I contacted Women & Work, who again were exceptional in the advice they gave and their practical support.

The continuity of support, advice, guidance and professionalism and the warm and open manner in which it is offered, lead me to share my experience with my colleagues at work and to recommend the services of Women & Work to them.

I am grateful to Women & Work for all the help that I have received from them and for the positive and empowering influence that they have had on my life.