Train & Trade: Roxanne’s Story
Roxanne is a single mum of one. She took part in Multi Skills, one of our Train and Trade workshops, as she was struggling to find work.
When I first joined the Multi Skills project, I didn’t really have any expectations. But it’s taken me places I never thought it would. I’d worked in a supermarket in the past, but despite having a degree in Interior Design, I hadn’t been able to get a job which fit my skills. Everyone wants someone with experience, but no one’s willing to give you that experience.
When I had the little one, I had to leave work as I couldn’t get the hours I needed to fit around childcare. I was just about getting by without a job, but it was really frustrating going back and forth, back and forth to the job centre. I felt stuck.
That’s when I met a woman called Stella. She told me all about St Mungo’s and the skills they were offering. I thought: what have I got to lose? I’m not comfortable with just getting by, so I’m happy that I was able to get on the course.
I learnt a whole range of practical skills at the workshop, and they also ran employability sessions to help us get into work. It was great for me to learn skills which complemented my degree.
Within four months of working, I got a promotion. Now it’s my job to check the interior of a newly built block of flats, making sure that everything’s finished to a high standard. It’s the perfect combination of my background in Interior Design and the practical skills I learnt on the Multi Skills project.
