We spoke to Amy who joined our Accrington Team programme back in 2018. Here she tells us why she decided to sign up and what the programme meant to her.
“It was when my daughter was due to start primary school that was the catalyst for me to start looking at my own life. I had been a stay at home mum for the past four years and was looking for something for me when I came across the advert for the Prince’s Trust programme on Facebook. The application process was really easy and after an initial call with the Team Leader, Sophie, I had an interview and was successful. And I’ve never looked back! I joined the course in Accrington in 2018 which was based at Hyndburn Fire Station. My favourite parts of the course were the day where we got to train with the firefighters and the work placement weeks. I had been a carer for my Mum and felt that this was something that came naturally to me so expressed an interest in a role in health care. Sophie found me a week-long placement at a Care Home in Accrington and I was actually offered a job at the end of the week, completing the rest of the programme around my new job. I have been working there ever since and feel so grateful to have been given the opportunity. This has never felt more apparent than in 2020 as I was classed as a key worker and was able to retain my job, going to work every day. It also meant I got out of home schooling as my child was able to go to school so win-win for me!
I can say that the course completely changed my life. I have a job I love, it gave me some identity rather than just being a Mum and I am still in contact with some of the people from the course today. I gave the course my all and took every opportunity I was given. You definitely get out what you put in.”