Our Impact: Success Stories
Paul Ortiz Tinitana
Paul struggled to find a job. His problem was one that he believes is common to many young people – he was confused about what he wanted to do professionally, what steps he should take next. Additionally, he felt pressured at home to find work quickly and so soon after started feeling unmotivated and depressed. Read the full story
One day he came across LEAP staff at his local JobCentre where they suggested he try the LEAP programme. Since his current job search wasn’t working, Paul decided to go ahead and take part in the workshop. Once he started the workshop Paul soon realised what he needed to change in order to be successful in his job search. He learnt how to fill out application forms properly as well as developing specific behaviours required to be successful at the workplace. His motivation and confidence went through the roof and he was able to overcome his nerves.
Before joining LEAP, Paul had begun feeling like a loser, without even realising it, his attitude was negative and it gave him a sombre outlook in life. ‘When you’re feeling down, you may not realise it but you start acting negatively and project that into all aspects of your life’. During his job search period he had fallen into a routine of eating, boxing and sleeping. But through the personal transformation he underwent at the workshop his attitude changed and even his relationship with his family improved. His parents saw him make an effort and were pleased with the changes they were seeing in him. Paul was able to move forward into a more positive stage of his life where he felt good about himself and his life and everything started moving forward for him.
‘Young people cannot lose their motivation – it’s the most important thing. If you want something, you can do it. We’re all able people and we can achieve our goals. This programme helped me realise that. It’s not easy but you have to make an effort. LEAP will help you, but you need to work for what you want and with their help you will then see results’ explains Paul.
After the workshop, with the support of the LEAP team, he was able to identify his main areas of interest and realised that he wanted to focus on business administration and accounting. ‘LEAP helped me to find suitable vacancies to which I applied and then went on to receive two job offers. Soon after, my LEAP adviser contacted me because there was an opportunity that fully matched my interests and goals and asked me if I was interested in applying. I jumped at the chance because it was an excellent opportunity, and I came back to LEAP to have a mock interview and get support in fully preparing for the interview – and I got it! I am now looking forward to starting an apprenticeship in Business Administration. My employer has told me they’re happy to invest in me and my studies and hope that I will invest in them. I’m very excited about this job as it will allow me to gain professional experience as well as a Diploma in Business Administration. Am I happy? What do you think? I got exactly what I was looking for!’
Nicola Ideh
When Nicola finished uni, she was unsure as to what her next step should be. She had a degree in Chinese which she was sure would be useful for working with the growing Chinese industry, but she didn’t know where to start looking for a job that would allow her to use her degree. Read the full story
Her sister, a former client of LEAP, suggested she seek the support of LEAP – she had nothing to lose and the possibility of everything to gain. Nicola came to LEAP and soon realised she was full of potential and through the on-going personalised support she received, was able to define what her professional aims were.
With LEAP’s individualised support, she was able to set up a plan that would allow her to reach her specific work goals as well as recognise the skills needed to reach them. She also realised that although her Chinese was good, it could still improve by further practicing of the language.
At LEAP she recognised she loved teaching and with LEAP’s help she discovered an opportunity to teach English in China. This was a perfect opportunity for her as it would allow her to further explore her passion for teaching as well as improve her Chinese language skills.
LEAP staff helped her prepare for the opportunity and get all the required paperwork in place and soon after Nicola was accepted for a one-year teaching placement in China. This opportunity has helped her give a solid first-step into what we are sure will be a very successful career.
‘I am happy I came to LEAP. I am enlightened, I am motivated, I am confident in my abilities and I am glad. I am glad that I could be a part of such a wonderful organization and I am impressed at what can be achieved with the right support. I started off trying to improve my interview techniques and the ability to sell myself. Today I am a more organised individual, more confident, bursting with enthusiasm and willing to go the extra mile. Today I am a LEAP individual and today I want to be the best that I can be. Thank you LEAP!’
Joanna Thompson
Joanna had never been employed. She’d been looking for an opportunity since May but was finding it very hard to get a break. She signed up with an employment agency but she wasn’t getting any positive responses. The agency however informed Joanna about the career/advice fair being carried out by LEAP in October and suggested she attend.
Read the full story
At the job fair, Joanna signed up at the LEAP stand and was contacted shortly after and invited to attend the employability workshop. Joanna felt that since she was being unsuccessful in her job search, she should try this training in case it could help her adjust her approach to employers.
A few weeks later, in November, Joanna attended the LEAP workshop and found it very helpful. She discovered the issues that were holding her back had to do mainly with her CV (which needed a complete revamp to truly reflect her current skills). She also learnt how to complete an application form as well as to send CVs accompanied by a cover letter to make a stronger initial impact.
Joanna found the workshop helped very much to get her in a working mind set – having to attend in smart clothes and to follow regular work rules and schedules helped to prepare her for the workplace. She was surprised by the structure of the programme and the amount of activities carried out every day and as the weeks progressed she felt more confident about how to approach employers.
After finishing the workshop, Joanna attended a one-to-one appointment with her LEAP adviser and discussed suitable job options and prepared an action plan. She then attended a job application surgery where she received the support she needed to prepare and apply for a few roles she was interested in. LEAP told her about a suitable vacancy and helped her to complete the online application form and helped her with the online assessment. Soon after, she was contacted by the employer to attend the second stage of the application process. Once again, Joanna sought the support of LEAP in preparation for her interview. After her sessions at LEAP she felt confident about what to say at the interview and how to tell the employers about her interest in the role.
‘One of the main exercises that really helped me was the filmed mock interview with the employers. It helped me feel confident about what I wanted to say and how. If I hadn’t done that, I don’t think I would have got a job.’
Joanna received a job offer for a Customer Assistant role at a one of the UK’s top high street retail outlets. Joanna is currently looking forward to starting her training next week, after which she will start her first paid job.
‘It worked. LEAP works’
Beulah Williams
After several years of dealing with personal issues that caused her to be able to only accept sporadic work, Beulah was ready to move forward in her search for a permanent job. In July 2010 she came across a LEAP leaflet at her local Job Centre and was invited to attend LEAP’s empowerment workshop.
Read the full story
Beulah confesses her self-esteem at that time was very low but the team exercises helped build it up – she was aware that for a team to be successful, every member had to support it and she was willing to do the work.
At the workshop she took a literacy and numeracy assessment and was suggested to sign into a numeracy course to strengthen her math skills. ‘I knew it was an opportunity to address it since I had always avoided maths in the past, so I took it.’
Beulah knew maths would be a tough skill to develop, however she didn’t mind. ‘What’s important to me is seeing something through. Not doing it would be a failure. Not passing the test would be ok because I can always take the test again – it’s not the end. Success lies on doing the work and seeing it through because I can then build on that.’
Beulah knew she needed to update other skills and when she saw on one of the LEAP boards an ad for IT courses, she thought it the perfect opportunity since she currently didn’t have any IT skills. Soon after, Beulah took the plunge and signed up for the basic IT course.
As Beulah started the IT course she found it challenging and difficult, but persevered nonetheless. She found on-going support at LEAP and was able to access the computers there to continue practicing what she had learnt at class.
She had always been an average student, scraping by school. But with all these new skills, Beulah soon passed her basic IT course with a distinction (98% pass!) and followed LEAP’s staff advice to continue learning through the intermediate IT course.
At first Beulah found it overwhelming – she had never seen a spread sheet in her life. But being able to pass the exercises and tests by getting good grades motivated her to pursue her studies. She found Excel a tough programme – however she also managed to pass this course with a distinction.
‘These distinctions have made me feel good and now I want to do more things. I never imagined I could achieve all this. With these new skills I am now being put forward for a job – doors are opening up for me! I now know it’s all about perseverance.’
Gerald Franklin
Gerald had been working for 6 years when he decided to quit his job to go to uni and follow his passion: music production. Once he finished uni, he faced a harsh reality common to many students nowadays – he was unable to find work. ‘There were no opportunities available. I was willing to work for free, do internships – anything to get the experience I needed as well as to get a foot in the door. But there was nothing out there’. Read the full story
One day, while at the Job Centre, Gerald met someone from LEAP who said they could help him. Gerald accepted the help being offered decided to give it a try – he attended the February 2011 workshop. ‘I had worked for 6 years so I already had some skills – LEAP reminded me of that. Doing three weeks of intense pretending to go to work was helpful. It helped me adjust the small things that were holding me back, like arriving on time (this was a real issue for me!). It polished me and tweaked my approach so that I could be more effective job searching’.
After the workshop, Gerald received individualised support in his job search ‘I realised how hard it is to break into the music industry. I don’t kid myself – I also have retail to fall back on’. At LEAP he was taught that when one door closes, a window opens. With this in mind and considering how tough the job market currently is, Gerald decided to follow a two-prong approach, focusing both on the music and retail industries. ‘When I was at LEAP I worked twice as hard to get a job. They really helped me to focus on a job strategy – I had two CVs to try to get into either market and had interview practice for both’.
Soon after, Gerald was successful in finding a job as a customer service agent at one of London’s main train stations. He’s been working there since April and says he is enjoying his job and is happy to be able to work there full-time. ‘I like my job but I am also glad I know I have money coming in which I can invest in what I love, my music. I’m also hoping to upgrade my home studio’.
Rajay Patel
After 18 years of working at a supermarket, Rajay lost his job. This was to him, the lowest point of his life. For the following 2-1/2 years, Rajay was only able to secure agency work which helped him out in the short-term, but prevented him from pursuing a permanent role as he didn’t have time to attend interviews. Read the full story
In 2011 he came to LEAP and did the workshop. In it he learnt about the STAR method for goal setting, how to write a CV, how to carry out interviews, etc. ‘After they gave us the STAR homework, I went and locked myself in my room for a whole day to work on it. It helped me reflect on my life history at the workplace and become more confident in explaining it. Afterwards I felt really good at the hard work I had done and felt a sense of achievement.’
Rajay was applying to several roles in the retail industry but was repeatedly unsuccessful. He then decided to push himself beyond his comfort zone and try looking for a role in a different field – he was particularly interested in care work.
He was able to secure an interview with an organisation he was keen to work with, and returned to LEAP for further help preparing for the interview. He felt prepared and confident when he attended his interview and after a long but positive interview, was offered a role. ‘This offer was a huge relief to me. I now have a brighter future and am looking forward to it.’
David Nibb Oyet
‘Once you have knowledge, power is in your hands.’
David arrived to the UK seventeen years ago as a refugee from Uganda. Once he got his indefinite leave to remain in the UK he started looking for work. He was sending out his CV but the outcome was always negative.Read the full story
During one of his visits to the local Job Centre he found a LEAP leaflet there and was intrigued. He called and asked how LEAP could help him and decided that perhaps LEAP would be able to aid him in his job search so he registered to attend the workshop.
During the 3-week training David realised his job search tactics had been wrong. He didn’t know how to write a cover letter, a speculative letter, how to fill out an application form, and his CV was all wrong for the UK. The training was very beneficial to him as he learnt the essential skills to job search. His numeracy and literacy level was also assessed.
During the last week of the workshop he was asked if he’d be interested in applying for a vacancy LEAP was recruiting for. He found the opportunity interesting and decided to apply. He received support from the LEAP team with a pre-assessment to prepare for the actual screening test. When he went to the employer and took the test he got full marks. He was then invited to attend the interview so he sought support at LEAP to get interview practice beforehand. Having done mock interviews he then felt fully prepared and when he attended the actual interview he promptly received a job offer.
‘LEAP sorted me out. I have experience, I have skills, and I have evidence that I can do things for myself. There’s quite a lot I have learned and I am very happy with myself right now.’
Elizabeth Tommy
As a stay at home mother, Elizabeth Tommy had been out of work for a number of years, but eventually made the decision to try and find a full time job. She soon found that things had evolved from when she had worked previously and competition in the job market was steep, and she simply did not know where to start. Read the full story
Progressively she developed a great fear about the task in hand and her confidence dwindled. So Elizabeth gave up on looking for work and visited her local Job Centre to apply for Income Support, which is where she saw the leaflet for LEAP and joined the LEAP workshop in May 2006.
On the first day of the workshop, she felt unhappy about having to follow the workshop rules and sanctions system. However she soon realised that these rules would help her and her class-mates to become well-disciplined and self-controlled. Having been at home for so many years, she was not used to taking instructions from anyone and was literally her own boss. She found that having to attend the workshop five days a week from 9.30am to 5pm and having to complete allocated tasks, effectively helped to bring back some structure into her life. The workshop also provided hands on experience of what it would be like when she returned to the workforce. Elizabeth did not know what to expect from one day to the next and found the exercises challenging, and she soon learnt to adapt. Each day her confidence improved and she even found that she was able to stand in front of the class and share the fact that she lacked confidence.
From the workshop she learnt that everyone has obstacles in their lives at some point, but their position in life is determined by how they choose to deal with these obstacles when they arise. From that point, she stopped seeing LEAP as an organisation, instead she saw LEAP as being made up of individuals who were passionate about helping people. She remembers being personally motivated by the staff who personified the values of respect, commitment, care and professionalism. LEAP not only helped Elizabeth with the practical aspects of job hunting such as CV writing, presentation skills and interview role plays, but also how to develop a positive attitude and self-belief, all of which empowered her.
Elizabeth secured a job as an Account Manager within two months of completing the workshop and she has been in the same employment since. Elizabeth is currently studying for professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing alongside her full time role and states unequivocally that LEAP has been instrumental in the whole process.
She says: ‘LEAP is a crucial positive contributor to society. It has helped me as a single mother to make better provision for my children thereby giving them a good start in life. I feel proud to be a LEAP ambassador where ever I go.’
Edward Morgan
Edward is a recent immigrant to the UK. He had come to study IT and was also seeking a job to support himself. Unfortunately, he was being unsuccessful in his applications and was unsure about what he was doing wrong.
Read the full story
A few months later and still unemployed and somewhat disheartened, he came across LEAP in a Jobcentre. Open to help, Edward started the workshop and also took advantage of the free numeracy classes to improve his maths skills.
After the workshop, Edward received on-going, personalised support which included support and advice in where and how to look for a job, interview techniques, CV and application forms. He learnt techniques to present himself in a positive light and highlight his skills. Having never done interviews in the past, the support he received and techniques he learnt were crucial for him. ‘I didn’t know I had to give examples, and I didn’t really know what an example was, but now it makes total sense’
‘LEAP is a fantastic organisation. You have to do everything they tell you to achieve progress, but they will help you along the way. I encourage people to come to LEAP as they will help you with everything you need’.
During the following months, Edward says he found ‘the staff were very helpful; they always made time for me and would support me all the time.’ He was soon able to find a part-time job as a concierge in which he was well regarded as a trustworthy and responsible employee.
His boosted confidence transpired into other aspects of his life, including his education. Edward says he was soon able to pass all his exams and was accepted into a college IT programme.
However, Edward needed to find a full-time job that would allow him to continue progressing professionally. He was unsure as to how to handle his job search while at his part-time job so he sought the advice of LEAP on the best way to handle this issue professionally and ethically.
With LEAP’s support, Edward applied for a job with a LEAP employer at a factory. ‘If I couldn’t come in for an appointment at LEAP then my adviser would help me via email or coach me on the phone’. During his initial interview he believes the employer saw potential in him, was asked to attend a second interview for a more senior position at the company and was then offered the role where he will manage a team and train new employees. He smiles confidently and says the techniques he learnt at LEAP were crucial in helping him to secure this leadership role.
As Edward prepares to start this new stage in his professional life, he tells us ‘I want to thank everybody at LEAP for the help they have given me. I had lost hope as I was getting rejected but now I have the confidence not only to fight for a job but also for my career progression’.
David Hibbert
David used to describe himself as a technophobe. He had always thought technology would limit his creativity and actively avoided it as much as possible, forfeiting having a computer or even a mobile phone in his life. Over the last ten years he suddenly found himself unemployed and struggling with mental health issues.Read the full story
His life became very insular and his quality of life deteriorated slowly but surely. He was depressed with his lifestyle and decided to deal with the issues affecting him in order to move on with his life.
While seeking support he came across the Blenheim Project which referred him to LEAP. Once he visited LEAP he decided to take a step forward and break through one of his fears by taking on a beginners’ IT class.
As he came to learn the basics of how to use a computer he became interested in technology and now describes it as a ‘beautiful tool’ that can help him enhance and share his creativity. David is proud of this achievement – he has not only been able to tackle something that he had always been quite averse to, but he has found he actually enjoys and excels at it.
This first step of studying something new has inspired him to pursue further qualifications to help him move back into work. ‘There has been a positive shift in me thanks to the course. The road ahead might be bumpy but I now know I’ll get there and I can accept that.’
He is grateful to have a support network available at LEAP – he has received on-going personalised support which has strengthened his confidence and built a sound base of IT knowledge. Today, a cheerful and friendly David has aced his beginner exams and is now looking forward to continue studying an intermediate course.
Musa Jebak
When I first came to LEAP I wasn’t sure what to expect. My mum (who had been a LEAP client herself) had told me to go for ages but I had been reluctant.
Little did I know how it would benefit me!
Read the full story
When they said the course was for 3 weeks I was baffled as to how they were going to keep someone like me entertained for that long but I signed up anyway. At first I sat there listening, almost wanting to be impressed. To my surprise we did something new every day and I think it really does make you open your eyes and look at yourself for who you are and what you are capable of.
I had been arrested a few times by the time I was 18 and I had been stabbed. Things at home spiralled and it took its toll on college so I dropped out. Being involved in the LEAP course made me realise that I wasn’t the only one in my position. I know that may sound silly now but I had started to think that no-one else was going through what I was going through.
By the end of the course the job applications got done quicker because I had what felt like new energy. I really did feel like I was going to get a job… and not too long after I was employed! The sense of achievement I got from that cannot be measured and I was proud of myself.
I recommend this course because it really does help you to gain confidence; more importantly it will uplift and energise you to get into the world of work.
Catherine O’Shea
Catherine is a single parent who spent the last 26 years taking care of her disabled son until he became independent. She knew she didn’t want to be on benefits anymore but rather wanted a job with a good pay that would allow her to live comfortably rather than just scraping by on benefits.
Read the full story
A few years ago she began looking for jobs but with a limiting health condition she found that most advertised roles required specialised skills and higher qualifications than she had. After years of unsuccessful job searching she had lost her self-confidence and didn’t think much of herself. Catherine felt she was failing both herself and her son.
She was referred to LEAP by Working Links and attended the workshop hoping to get some guidance in her job search. She was unsure where to apply and for what kind of jobs as her search had proved so unsuccessful in the past.
At the beginning of the workshop she had no confidence; she wouldn’t talk to anyone unless spoken to first. However, through her time in the workshop, her confidence was boosted and she was able to make new friends and build a support network. By the end of the 3-week training she was even participating in friendly debates!
When she finished the workshop, her LEAP advisor suggested she apply for a job and helped her prepare for the interview and health and safety test. Catherine confesses she felt very nervous at the beginning and didn’t pass the test on her first try. She received further support to prepare for the exam and passed with 94% on the second try! She then had further interview preparation and was even referred to get an outfit she could wear to her interview.
At the interview Catherine knew that she needed to be honest about her feelings and instead of letting the interviewer have a bad impression of her, she admitted from the start that she was quite nervous as she hadn’t had an interview in over 26 years. This cracked the ice and after that the interview went really well.
Catherine has now received her first job offer in 26 years and is excited in taking this next step in her life. She now feels she can once again be an example for herself and her son that commitment and the right attitude will lead you to achieve your goals.
Sumita Sirkar
‘Impossible in other words is I’m possible’
When I came to LEAP I was trying to find jobs in the corporate world. I wasn’t able to secure a job and didn’t know where I was going wrong. I met an alumni who had attended LEAP a year ago and had secured a job just months after finishing the course.Read the full story
I was lacking confidence and self-belief and so I decided to register myself to the course. My three week journey began with every day working on different activities, developing skills, attitude and behaviour for the work environment, tailoring my CV, building my confidence and my interview skills.
During the course, my tutor made me realise where I was going wrong with my applications. When the course was over I still went to LEAP every day to search for jobs online or in the newspaper. I was amazed with what we received without paying a single penny for the privilege. Everyone got an advisor who spent time fine-tuning our skills after the course.
It was through LEAP that I got my dream job of working with HSBC. LEAP is an organisation that goes beyond expectations to help people get employed and who follow-up up for two years post placement in order to help them if they face any difficulties in the early period of work.
I will always be grateful to everyone in LEAP for their support and for everything they have done for me.
Lee Dale
Before coming to LEAP Lee was attacked, suffering a serious head injury that left him with recurrent headaches and impaired vision. Some of the jobs he would have been able to do in the past, he was no longer able to, such as forklift driving. This led him to some anger management issues which contributed to holding him back.Read the full story
Lee had over 20 years’ experience and after a bout of sporadic temporary jobs, he was referred by his local Job Centre to LEAP in July 2010. At the beginning, he felt he was ‘back in school’ – the strict discipline was off-putting. However, as the week progressed he realised how advantageous it really was for him: it helped him prepare to move into the work environment once again.
He had always thought of himself as a team player, but in the workshop he discovered team work doesn’t only mean helping your mates, but working also with the people you might not like. He made a conscious effort during the workshop to work with team members who he normally wouldn’t have gotten along with.
In the workshop he learned how to write his CV and improved his interview skills. And he became conscious that his performance during the workshop would benefit him long-term: when he would require references from LEAP, his good attitude, time keeping and attendance could be highlighted to future potential employers.
When the workshop finished, Lee continued to visit LEAP on a regular basis. He was also encouraged to consult his doctor about his anger management issues. ‘After the workshop my personal advisor helped me to figure out the kind of role I should apply for as well as put me forward for available positions, which I found very supportive.’
He found one to one support with filling out application forms and job searching. Sometimes he felt tired and discouraged, but the team’s support kept him focused and motivated. ‘It is important to stress that after the three weeks, the support people give you here is amazing. The whole team go out of their way to help you and push you to move forward and find a job.’
Lee also established good friendships with other clients who attended the workshop, building a support network which has helped him move on in his life. Through the support he has received, Lee has learned to value himself as a person, feeling now more confident to fulfil his dreams.
Since completing the workshop Lee was able to secure a range of temporary jobs. He found a short-term job which then progressed into a become long-term role, in his preferred area of expertise. We are very confident that thanks to all the work and effort Lee has made to address personal and professional issues, he is an asset to his new employer. It has been a long journey, but he is ready to get back into the workforce full-time and is looking forward to this opportunity.
Mohammed Ahmed
Mohamed arrived to the UK as a refugee from Somalia in 2003. He found the London job market quite open and it was easy to find work quickly.
He worked through an agency at several organisations, including Heathrow Airport, but in 2008 everything changed. Read the full story
Following the economic crisis he found he suddenly wasn’t able to secure a job – he wasn’t even being invited for interviews anymore and couldn’t understand why. In April 2010 he came across a LEAP leaflet at his local Job Centre. He was intrigued by the information and called LEAP to find out more about how they could help him.
He started the workshop soon after and discovered during the first week what he had been doing wrong. Even though it wasn’t the best time to look for a job, he could improve his chances by presenting himself better to employers.
“It was the wrong time and the wrong way to present myself.” Mohamed was waking up at 1pm, going to the Job Centre in the afternoons and applying for jobs online during the night. When he received calls from potential employers during the morning, he was still half asleep when he answered the phone and they would lose all interest.
During the workshop he learnt the importance of time keeping and punctuality. He realised he needed a change of attitude and lifestyle. “I needed to get up in the morning and look for a job. Otherwise it wouldn’t work.”
At LEAP he learned how to improve his CV, fill out application forms and prove he was capable of carrying out the work he was applying for. By following LEAP’s advice he started getting calls inviting him to attend interviews. “I couldn’t believe it. One week I had a record of 10 interviews set up and was running all over London to attend them!” He received interview coaching and a few weeks after the workshop finished he accepted a job offer.
“LEAP staff are very experienced. They understand the job market issues and the individual needs of each client. They do their own assessments. They are honest with job seekers and will tell you if you’re doing well or not. I was told what things I was doing wrong and their feedback gave me the knowledge and energy to improve those issues and to persevere.”
Mohamed is currently working at the Co-Operative and proudly came in to show us his uniform after his shift and to have a chat about how things are going at work. He is confident about his future and knows LEAP is there to help him continue moving forward in his career.
Chirawat-Ness
My Name is Ness I came to this country a few years ago from Thailand.
I have a degree in IT. I began my work life in UK early 2007, just a few months after I started working for a retail company as an IT Support Engineer.
Read the full story
It turned out I had to work in warehouses, from manual stocking to packing goods and delivering to customers, despite it being advertised as an IT job. I tried reasoning and discussing my contract with my manager but I got fired instead.
The recession then hit and I found myself in an even worse situation – it was getting very difficult to find any vacancies. During my daily job seeking routine I found a flyer from LEAP at my local job centre. Their services sounded interesting so I signed up for the next available course which was in January 2010.
Being relatively new to the UK, I had very limited knowledge about how the UK job market works. After a few days in LEAP I learnt that most of my strategies were not very effective. I also learned how to improve my confidence for interviews, what to expect and how to prepare for difficult questions. Furthermore I discovered abilities and strength that I never thought I could use to advertise myself, as well as how to turn my weakness into a strength for the jobs that I was interested in. All the staff at LEAP was very friendly and helpful, helping me not give up.
After I finished course with LEAP, I got a job as a sales supervisor for a food chain in a train station. I then became ill and couldn’t walk at all, my ankles were swollen and I had to resign. At that point I felt like my life was over – I had no motivation to get up.
I almost gave up, but I remembered how LEAP taught me to believe in myself. Good or bad things depend on how I look at them. LEAP taught me that I am always in control of my actions and which direction I take.
Through time I kept looking for suitable job as well as looking after my health. Eventually I found a job that was exactly what I had been looking for. With the help I received from LEAP I got through the interview and was employed at last. Their help was invaluable to me and I would recommend it to anyone who is having difficulty finding a job in the UK.
Abukar Awale
Abukar Awale came to the UK, from Somalia, in 1997 as a young man full of energy wanting to learn and earn. He was looking forward to a bright new life, but these hopes were dashed when he associated himself with the wrong people.
Read the full story
Abukar frequented a place where people took a drug called Khat, which is legal in the UK and socially acceptable in Somalia. He became addicted to Khat, taking it for seven years, and lost his confidence, his self-esteem and most of all, his family.
He was depressed, paranoid and at a stage where he could not see any light at the end of the tunnel; he also found himself on the wrong side of the law.
Abukar came to LEAP in August 2005 and began LEAP’s three-week workshop. Abukar recalls an incident where he told a LEAP staff member that though he knew LEAP was trying to help him, he was beyond repair. The staff member responded by stating that that was not true and he could change his life if he made the choice to. Abukar made the choice to stop taking Khat while he was on the programme.
He described the training as the most useful three weeks of his life and he learned how to take control of a life that had spun out of control. Nine days after completing the training, Abukar got a job as a Teaching Assistant. His family life improved and he enjoyed becoming a respected member of the community. Another thing he had learnt at LEAP was to how set goals. One such goal was to go back to Somalia and visit his parents, something that he had always thought of doing, but had not done so because of the state of his life. After completing the course at LEAP and getting a job, Abukar saved and planned, and in 2006 returned to Somalia to visit his family.
Abukar has gone from strength to strength and is now a Community Engagement Officer for a community college, where his responsibilities include targeting hard to reach groups and absent fathers. He works with the parents to raise the aspirations and achievement of their children. He is also the Ambassador in Brent for the London Somali Youth Forum and strives to remove barriers which will enable the integration of his community. He is a volunteer at a local Youth Offending Team and a member of their panel which advises and mentors young people.
Abukar says: “LEAP has totally changed my life!! My wife is happier than ever and my children are doing better in school. My whole life is better. Many thanks to LEAP.”
Emem
“One of my strongest beliefs in life is that everything is possible when you believe in yourself”
I came to the United Kingdom two months ago to join my husband after our marriage. I was admitted into the United Kingdom on the Tier 1 general migrant scheme programme (highly skilled worker). I was completely unaware of what the United Kingdom labour market had in stock for people like me.Read the full story
I was told how difficult it is to get a good job, that irrespective of the number of degrees or qualifications and experience you have there is no guarantee or means to a job, especially for those that just came into the country.
I visited the job centre at Harlesden for a job search and was briefed about the LEAP ‘essential skills’ training programme by one of their staff. Immediately I opted for it, got registered, and attended the induction session and the training from the 10th of January to the 28th of January 2011.
The training lasted for three weeks, what I learnt will help me wherever I find myself. I learnt how to fill an application form with ease, prepare for and perform successfully in an interview, write an application letter, cover letter, speculative letter and carry out a job search.
Four days after the training I went to a group job search session at LEAP with our adviser. While we were having the session, a colleague who had done the course with me found a vacancy, printed it out but felt she was not qualified for it because of some of their requirements. Immediately I looked at it and knew the job was right for me. I gave it to my adviser and after she had finish reading the vacancy she instructed me on how to apply for the job.
It was a role as a customer services adviser in a shipping company. My adviser was very supportive and she ensured that I provided all that was required to apply. We did the application together, amended and corrected any mistakes and sent it off. The following day the company called to arrange an interview. My adviser helped me prepare and held a mock interview with me for practice. This was very useful as I was able to feel relaxed and confident at the actual interview. I believe my application was successful because my CV and application letter were well prepared, rich with relevant information and catchy.
Today I am happy and working in that company. All this was possible because of the help LEAP rendered to me, especially when I felt I was alone and didn’t know where to start.
I am sure a lot of people out there are like me, new to the United Kingdom and don’t know who to turn to for help and advice or where to start from. My advice today is start from where I started – with LEAP you can acquire new knowledge about how to sell yourself and your attitude, to get to learn all that is needed to secure and retain a job, learn how to search for the right job and then, more importantly, to apply in the right way and I can assure you that you will move forward just like I did.

