The timing couldn’t have been better when Victoria Giffard was invited to the Annfield Plain Health and Lifestyle Event hosted by Derwentside Employment Team last year.
Victoria a single parent from Catchgate, started work as a Carer for Willow Community Centre after being unemployed for 2 years. She was eager to go back to work. “ I felt it was time to not just be a mummy, I wanted my kids to see me working” She added, “I appreciate them more now and they appreciate me more.”
Mother of two Victoria had waited until her youngest was 2 years old before considering returning to work but felt it would be hard at first to make that step from benefits to paid work.
Darren Graham, Specialist Employment Adviser for DET said “I met Victoria a few times to help her look for a suitable job and when she was offered the job at Willow I looked at how we could make starting work easier so that Victoria could really look forward to the opportunity”. He explained “I gave Victoria £150 of grocery vouchers and paid for a months bus pass to make the move into employment as smooth as possible”.
Victoria loves her part time job and was grateful for the help of Derwentside Employment Team “I know my kids are proud of me and I’m sure they will grow up with the same aspirations to work and provide for their family”