Login


Forgotten Password

Register
<font class="titleid649016siteid238"></font>

'I'm a mum, I do pressure!' - Karen Wallder

<font class="titleid1siteid0"></font>
'I was a classic case', says Karen Wallder, with characteristic self deprecation. 'I left school at 16 with no qualifications.'

In fact, she'd worked in hairdressing and loved the job, until she became pregnant with her eldest son in 1990.

There followed 15 years on Income Support during which time 2 more sons arrived. 'If the childcare had been easier, I probably would have returned to part-time work earlier because it's tough financially on Income Support - not being able to give your kids the choices that other children might have.

<font class="titleid1siteid0"></font>

And you forget that there is life outside the mother-and-young-children circles that you revolve around.'

But when she and the boys moved to a different area and she had settled them in new schools, the time seemed right for a move back to work.

An NDLP adviser at the Jobcentre mentioned the Marks & Spencer programme and she signed up, nervous but not hesitating. 'When I walked into the work preparation course I didn't know what I was doing.

I'd had panic attacks and was shaking, but sitting with a small group of parents and swapping stories and worries - about childcare, say, or getting tax credits organised - was reassuring.

I remember sitting there quietly realising that I wasn't the only one dreading this.'

<font class="titleid1siteid0"></font>
Karen became determined over the three-day course. 'Liz ( that's Liz Sewell , a trainer on the course) made us realise that we had something to offer back - that the things you do as a parent and the skills you use can be put into practice in a work environment.

Before I started the programme I had thought that I didn't have anything to offer that anyone would pay me for.'

In early October last year, Karen joined the Kingston Marks & Spencer store for her two week work experience placement: 'It was fantastic', 'I said I'd like to work in the foods department which they said could be very busy and hectic, especially in the run-up to Christmas. But I thought well, I'm a Mum, I do pressure.'

The Kingston staff helped keep Karen buoyant during her placement: 'They really involved me. Because they were so friendly and helpful, it really wasn't hard.'

<font class="titleid1siteid0"></font>
When the placement ended, Karen was offered a temporary contract in the same department and then jumped at an offer of a permanent job working around school hours.

She's now working 5 days a week from 11am - 3pm so that she can take her youngest to and from his school.

'My children are my number one priority, but my life does not revolve around tidying up and being at home anymore! I discovered that I can do it - I can hold everything together.

I still get nervous before work sometimes but learning to cope with that is part of the achievement.'

Her overall verdict on Parents Returning to Work? 'It's a fantastic scheme. The more people who know about it, the better, I think.'