Our Impact: Success Stories

As I said I was spending a lot of time on the streets and I was getting into a lot of trouble with the police. I didn’t like getting into trouble and I wanted to make a change. During youth club I spoke to the youth workers about getting help looking for work. So I started coming to the LEAP office a few months ago for one to one appointments with Lucy. As I hadn’t worked before and I don’t really have any qualifications I didn’t know what type of work to look for and how to look for work. From the appointments I have had help getting prepared for work, writing my CV, writing covering letters and applying for jobs. My main achievement so far has been the improvement in my confidence & communication skills. Before I came to LEAP I was used to talking to my peers using slang and I was shy talking to other adults especially in a professional environment. Coming to LEAP I have learnt how to talk properly and have developed my professional work skills.

I also have improved my time keeping skills and my daily routine, my appointments are booked in the morning, to get me out of bed! Through the appointments I registered for the LEAP Intermediate I.T. course which started in October. The course helped me remember a lot of the I.T skills I had learnt at school and it taught me a lot of new things. Attending the course also helped with my daily routine as I had to attend weekly sessions. I passed the I.T exam at the end of the course with a merit and I felt very proud of myself.

In December I was then asked if I would like to volunteer at LEAP to help with the I.T courses. So in January I started my placement and in my role I assist clients during the I.T sessions and help the I.T trainers deliver. This is helping me with my confidence because I have to speak in front of the clients and it has given me confidence in a work environment. Volunteering at LEAP is helping me to gain work experience and understand what it is like to be at work. I have to dress smartly so I wear a shirt, tie and trousers; it feels good to dress like this. I am still looking for work and I am enjoying volunteering at LEAP; I know that I have come a long way from when I was standing on the streets.

Tunde and the team at LEAP are welcoming, friendly and go out of their way to help you. LEAP gives young people the opportunity to come off the streets and get support. If I hadn’t come to LEAP I don’t know where I would be now but it would probably be on a negative path. Thanks to LEAP I am on a positive path.

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’

When Deborah attended the three week workshop at the beginning she found it quite difficult and walked out of the programme a few times. Whenever she did this, she was persuaded by the course Facilitator to stay and he helped her face her obstacles head on. “The three week workshop knocked me into shape. Everything that I learnt at LEAP has been in my best interests. Although the lessons were sometimes painful, I always left feeling positive”.

What motivated Deborah throughout the programme was a saying that had been put on the wall of the workshop – “if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always got”. Deborah looked at this every day and felt that she could really relate to it and it was one of the things that helped her through the difficult times that she had throughout the workshop.

When Deborah finished the workshop she was approached to do some volunteering work on reception at LEAP. She admitted that she was really surprised to have been approached and was very grateful for the opportunity. Deborah flourished at reception work and found that it really boosted her confidence, something that she had struggled with before. It also helped to make her CV stronger. Deborah also found the one-to-one support that LEAP offered her very helpful “the Advisors put so much effort in trying to help you, it makes you make an effort back”.

Deborah has also benefitted from the other services that LEAP has to offer; attending the numeracy class which has made her feel more confident in working with numbers. She has also started LEAP’s IT course for beginners and is now starting to understand and feel more comfortable working with computers.

During the one-to-one sessions Deborah’s Advisor found an opportunity that was ideal for Deborah and helped Deborah in applying for the position. Deborah admits that she did not think that she had a chance of getting it as approx. 600 people had applied for the position. To her delight she was offered the position. Deborah now feels much more positive about her future and says that she owes it all to LEAP. “I tell everyone I know about LEAP and will continue to do so. You have to experience it yourself to really know what it’s about. No other place would have been better for me than being at LEAP. It has had such an effect on my life and has changed it for the better. It will change anyone’s life”.

Mohammed registered at LEAP at the beginning of the year, when he made a resolution to be more proactive in finding work; after recently getting married and wanting to be reunited with his wife (who is currently living in Morocco) getting a job was now his number one priority. He was originally a bit sceptical as he had attended workshops before and they had not really helped him in getting a job and was not really sure what to expect when he attended LEAP’s three week workshop.

Mohammed attended the workshop and kept in contact with his Advisor when the course finished and did everything he could to help himself. Soon afterwards Mohammed had received two job offers in one week! After speaking to his Advisor, he accepted the job in a well-known up-market food chain and has never looked back. “I feel better about myself and am much more positive about my future now. I feel settled now and am waking up with a purpose. I knew that once I had stability in my life I would feel at peace and happy. If I have a job, I can pay my bills and arrears and I don’t need to go back to doing I was doing before”.

“LEAP goes out of their way to help people, if you give them 100% you will benefit so much from what they have to offer. Think about what you want from life. If you are serious about getting a job, LEAP is the place for you”

Mohammed is now looking ahead and planning his future. His main aims are to keep his job, progress further within the organisation and bring his wife over from Morocco so they can start living as a married couple. “I am now working, happy and I have goals and ambitions. My parents are proud of me. I would never have imagined that this would be possible.”

As I was leaving the job fair with two of my friends though, a quite prodigious gentleman asked if he could have a minute of my time, which I found a bit weird as it seemed like he had singled me out for some reason, which I later found out was indeed the case. He introduced himself to me as Tunde and just wanted to have a little talk with me about how I found out about the job fair and what had I thought about it. After a brief chat we both shook hands and I then made my way out.

A week or so afterwards I received a call from someone at LEAP who wanted to know if I’d be interested in coming to the office for one to one sessions with a member of the team who would support me in searching and applying for jobs. I was very keen and optimistic about the opportunity of receiving some extra help to find work, which I knew wouldn’t be easy with my criminal background, so I agreed to come up to Kensal Green and meet with one of the advisers who would potentially be working with me.

That day I came to the office I was introduced to a lady called Lucy, followed by Tunde, the same man who I had met at the job fair. They both talked me through the steps they would take to help me get back into work and what was expected of me, and from the beginning I sensed a vibe from both of them that they were genuinely interested in helping me and were deeply passionate about the work that they did. It was then agreed on that first time of meeting that I would continue to come up on a weekly basis to meet with them both. On my visits to the office I would be met by an ever affable and anticipating Lucy and we would have a thorough session of job searching and completing application forms if necessary, then after I’d be seen by Tunde who always showed a keen interest as to how my search for work had been going or how I was settling back into life on the outside. In the sessions I spent with Lucy she constantly made me feel supported, in what seemed was the slow road which I was on and the times spent talking with Tunde were never anything less than a pleasure, as he always had a great deal of knowledge or stories from his own background to share, which I don’t think he actually realised were so motivational for me.

Only a few sessions into working with Lucy, we came across a position for a Night Receptionist at a hotel whilst carrying out a job search. Lucy advised me to visit the hotel with my CV and express my enthusiasm for the post which I had seen advertised, with the hope that I would consequently get an interview. I was in fact later contacted by the Duty Manager of the hotel and given a date for an interview, which I subsequently went for and was successful in which resulted in being offered the job.

On my next appointment with Lucy, the following week from our last one when we had initially found the job, I went up to the office as normal and told her about the events of the past week in regards to the interview and my success in acquiring the position, which were totally unbeknownst to her. She was elated for me and couldn’t wait to rush and tell Tunde the news, who then himself came to congratulate me. I could tell that the two of them were truly happy for me and I saw then what it was that drove them to do the work that they did.

Shortly after I began training at work, Lucy still continued to call me to see how things were going and was still keen for us to meet up, especially as I had also come across a new position as a Trainee Support Worker which I was quite interested in and managed to apply for following her help with a thorough application form. I was still on tag however, following my early release from prison and as I was soon to begin my proper role working nights, the times of my curfew still needed to be amended. I brought the matter up with my Probation Officer and she confidently assured me that somehow, someway she would make sure it would be arranged to enable me to continue in my role. After what seemed much litigation between my Probation Officer and other relevant parties, I was given the all clear to start working the night shifts. It wasn’t until after my second night of working when I received a call from my Probation Officer, who informed me that the Governor of the prison which I had previously been released from, was not satisfied that I was going against the original conditions of my curfew and did not want me to continue in that role any more. I was quite perplexed by the whole situation, as to my knowledge it had already been arranged with everyone in relation to this matter that my tagging hours would be amended in order for me to start work.

With the acceptance of the fact that I would no longer be able to continue working and would once again be jobless slowly creeping over me, I then had to deal with another shock which I had not even imagined bracing myself for. On Friday 17th December 2011, I received a phone call from my Probation Officer explaining that due to the breakdown of communication regarding the night job I had and my curfew hours, my licence was being revoked and I was to be recalled back into prison. It seemed unreal and took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I was going back to jail and that I was going back for working. I later contacted Lucy who sounded as confused and devastated as I was and the more we went over the situation the more absurd it sounded. It seemed like she felt as helpless as I was but continued to offer any kind of support she could and insisted that she would be in touch.

I was kept imprisoned over the New Year, which by then I had come to deal with the situation but still pursued the quickest route to freedom and continued with my appeal against the decision made to recall me. In my time spent inside I received a letter from Lucy on behalf of herself and Tunde and heard constant news of them having contact with my family, my Probation and even my employers who they had visited on my behalf to explain my situation, to which they were previously unaware. After what seemed a prolonged process my appeal was granted and I was released from prison exactly a month after going in.

I came out and immediately contacted Lucy to let her know I had been let out and to also give her some other positive news. I had been successful in my application and interview with the organisation which I applied for the Trainee Support Worker position with and was to start working for them shortly. She was delighted for me and once again couldn’t wait for me to come down to the office to meet with her and Tunde so they could congratulate me in person.

I have now started working again and am in a job which I am enjoying and am hugely enthusiastic about, and up to now I still have the encouragement of Lucy and Tunde behind me. From the moment I met both of these people up to now, the support and motivation I have received from them has been immense and that’s not something I can say I have come across too many times before. I will always be forever grateful for all that they have done for me and no matter how far I go from the point when we first met, I will never be able to forget the impact that they have had on my life.

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!’

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!’

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.’

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’.

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.’

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.’

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.’

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.”

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 10^th of January to the 28^th 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.

Corrie knew people who were involved in the riots last summer, but he refused to get involved in them himself as he knew that if he got into any sort of trouble then this could ruin his future; instead he focused on trying to get himself work. Unfortunately for Corrie, he found that regardless how hard he tried he could not get work because he had no experience and wondered to himself how he could get the experience he needed if he wasn’t even being given a chance.

Corrie found out about LEAP through the jobcentre where he saw the leaflet and attended the ACE workshop. Corrie enjoyed the workshop – “I found the staff were all really friendly and I learnt a lot of new skills and became a lot more confident. I wasn’t just another statistic to them”. During the one-to-one sessions that occurred after the workshop Corrie says “I put my trust in my Advisor and when she called me to tell me about a job opportunity, I admit that I had butterflies in my stomach and felt for the first time in my life that someone was giving me a chance to prove myself”.

Corrie’s Advisor helped him fully prepare for his interview, which paid off as Corrie was offered the job, which he accepted. He says with a big grin, “I was over the moon when they offered me the job and want to thank everyone at LEAP. I will tell all of my friends who are out of work to come to LEAP as they really can help people get work”.

During his time of unemployment, Alphonce felt that there was something wrong with him and couldn’t understand why he couldn’t get a job. What Alphonce found particularly distressing was that, in his culture, men are seen as the providers and the fact that he was not able to provide for his family disheartened him and made him feel emasculated. “What made matters worse was that I wasn’t eligible for any benefits so I had nothing. My self-esteem hit an all-time low due to the fact that I couldn’t contribute financially towards my family’s upkeep which inevitably put a strain on my relationship with my wife. Everything was falling apart”

One day Alphonce went for a job interview with a well-known food chain but did not get the job. When he received the feedback from the interview he was told that he did not come across as passionate enough for the role. This was soul destroying for Alphonce, who finally thought that someone would give him a chance. Defeated, he went back to the jobcentre the next day to continue with his job search and that is when he saw LEAP’s leaflet. Intrigued by the leaflet, Alphonce contacted LEAP and registered for the ACE programme. He says “To be honest, at the time I did not really believe that LEAP could help me get a job, but I went on the programme because I had nothing left to lose.”

After Alphonce had completed the 3 week workshop he received a call from his LEAP Advisor who informed him that a LEAP employer was recruiting and she thought that he should attend an interview they were holding at LEAP’s offices. With help from his Advisor, Alphonce researched the organisation that was recruiting and participated in mock interviews to ensure that he was fully prepared for the actual interview. Alphonce says “The support that LEAP gave me boosted my confidence and helped my performance during the interview. It also made it easier that the interview was being held at LEAP because I am familiar with the place and so I was more relaxed in the interview”.

Alphonce was offered the role and is now looking forward to starting his new career. ‘I feel so very happy. I feel like I can now hold my head high and am looking forward to being able to withdraw some money from the cash machine! I would recommend LEAP to anyone who is struggling to get a job, and I know that I can continue to use LEAP’s services should I need any further help in the future’.