Jobcentre Plus

A single mother of six has found going back to work just the confidence boost she wanted after 18 years at home bringing up her family.

47 year-old Lynette Hopkins from Billesley is a lone parent who has six children, including 10 year-old twins Ely and Cain.

Lynette was keen to return to work but lacked confidence when it came to applying for jobs and being interviewed.

At Jobcentre Plus in Kings Heath she met specialist lone parent adviser Sue Keating.

Sue recommended the Fresh Steps programme for lone parents, an eight-week course designed to increase motivation and self-esteem alongside individually tailored help with applying for jobs. Lynette decided to 'go for it' and enrol.

Whilst she was attending Fresh Steps, she stayed in touch with Sue, who told Lynette about vacancies at Tesco under the Local Employer Partnership initiative where there is specific help for long term benefit claimants to get a job.

Lynette had an interview and shortly afterwards she was overjoyed to be offered a position as sales assistant at Tesco in Bournville.

Lynette said: "I'm really happy working for Tesco. I was surprised at how quickly I've settled in, after being out of the job market for so long. And my children have commented on how well it suits me going to work!"