In July 2018, Simran joined the YES project with the main aim of developing her confidence and building up her CV with work experience. She also wanted to gain new workplace skills and on the more social side, meet new people and make friends.
Simran was open to trying new things so her keyworker at Leicestershire Cares signed her onto several programmes including the YES Media programme at SEED, the Engage programme at TwentyTwenty and the Team programme at Warwickshire College. During this time, Simran met new people making lasting friendships and developed her confidence. She went from being reluctant to speak up in group situations to being able to read and present to a large group of people.
During her time on YES, she also completed several work experiences including a two-week finance placement with Ford & Slater. Whilst there she gained valuable experience within accounting which included processing invoices and dealing with VAT accounts. This experience not only provided her with invaluable employment skills but also helped confirm that accounting was her calling.
She was a regular at the weekly Get Stuff Done drop in sessions where she received support in interview techniques, applying for jobs, work placements and apprenticeships. Simran was also open to exploring the idea of going to university and was supported throughout the whole application process by Leicestershire Cares staff. We are pleased to say that this September she will be starting an Accounting and Finance course at De Montfort University, something which she is very excited about. Simran is feeling very positive about her future and is hoping to become an accountant after university.
Reflecting on her time on YES, Simran said “I am really happy I signed up to the YES project, it has really helped. I don`t think I would I have gone to university otherwise.”
This project is funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.