When 19-year-old Louise Perry picked up a copy of Inspire, the national Jobcentre Plus magazine for customers, she ended up getting more than she bargained for.

Louise entered a competition in the winter edition of Inspire offering one lucky reader the chance of a makeover and won. She now has a whole new look to impress potential employers with when attending interviews.

Louise, from Cannock, said:

“I picked up a copy of Inspire at Cannock Jobcentre and noticed the details of the makeover draw on the back page. I thought I may as well put my name forward but never imagined that I would stand a chance of winning. When I got a phone call to say my name had been pulled out of the hat I was really excited.”

Louise, who is currently unemployed, is receiving help from Jeanette Deckx, a New Deal Personal Adviser at her local Jobcentre. Jeanette said:

“Louise was initially unsure about what sort of work she wanted to do. After attending a Gateway to Work programme in December she has decided she would like to work in childcare. To help Louise achieve this aim I arranged for her to attend a course with one of our local providers, Performance Through People, to improve her literacy and numeracy so she can progress to childcare training.”

Louise’s makeover day started when she met Inspire magazine editor, Joanna Hook, at Cannock Jobcentre. Joanna said: “It was fantastic to meet Louise and see how excited she was about winning the makeover.” The first stop of the day was a visit to local hair salon, Smith and Smith Academy, where she had her hair cut and re-styled by salon manager Michelle Bailey. It was then on to the Beauty Box next door, where Emma provided beauty treatments and makeup. The day ended at the local branch of Dorothy Perkins where Louise chose a set of clothes suitable to go to job interviews in.

“It was very generous of local businesses to donate their services and goods free of charge for the makeover draw. The icing on the cake will be when Louise gets a job.”

Inspire magazine gives hints and tips to jobseekers to find work or a suitable training opportunity and help available through Jobcentre Plus. It also features people who have been helped back to work by Jobcentre Plus.

Copies are also available free of charge from all local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus offices.