"They asked me about long-term, what do I want to do? I told them, I don’t want to job hop. I want to be in a position where I can work my way up. I always wanna progress, I never wanna be just afloat. So, they said that sounds good."
Mum of two, Dainya, thought she would never find a job – she believed the combination of her criminal conviction and her childcare needs would leave her struggling to find any work at all, never mind a role with prospects. That all changed when she came to Working Chance.
At first, she was very sceptical about the help Working Chance could give her, she wasn’t comfortable talking about her conviction, felt it would always be a hindrance, and says she felt embarrassed to have gotten into the sort of position that ended up with a prison sentence.
However, after speaking with a Working Chance advisor, everything changed.
Working Chance were amazing. They never make you feel like you’re alone. And I liked that, they give you that warm hug.
“Working Chance were amazing. They listened to me, advised me. Put me on different confidence building, CV building, interview exercises and experience to build up my confidence. Always checking in, they never make you feel like you’re alone. And I liked that, they give you that warm hug.
“Sometimes you just feel you really need something and that’s what I got from Working Chance, they really made learn to not be embarrassed by my conviction and that I can move forward and that there is hope”.
Having a criminal record hindered me for a long time but my future’s looking very bright. I feel very optimistic about my new job.
Today, Dainya is working in a role that fits in with her childcare needs and is just around the corner from home. Her new employer was so impressed with Dainya when they met her that they worked internally to split a full-time position into a job share, meaning Dainya was able to accept the position they offered her.
“So how about that? A job that is actually walking distance from me, the schools are just around the corner. I thought OMG somebody is working with me and someone is on my side over here”, says Dainya.
Eventually, Dainya wants to pick up more hours and has given herself a year to go full-time. She says that right now she’s feeling really good about herself and her future. She says "Having a criminal record hindered me for a long time but my future’s looking very bright. I feel very optimistic about my new job. God forbid something happen and I lose my job, I know Working Chance’s door will be open for me.
“That’s thing about Working Chance”, she says, “I know that there’s always someone there I can call on.”