Julie Chapman, 38 is a lone parent from Thornaby who first came to Five Lamps through ‘Communities Fund’ in January 2011.
Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed.
Julie was unemployed for 6 years while she brought up her family. She was looking to update her skills to help her get back into employment.
Julie lacked confidence and was shy when around others. After meeting with Elaine Wright, Five Lamps’ Intensive Support Worker, Julie decided that she would like to update her IT skills. Elaine supported Julie to enrol on a Level 1 ICT course at Five Lamps.
Julie then took the big step of joining the class and meeting new people, which she found daunting at first. Initially, she found the work very demanding but she soon started to enjoy this new experience as it had been many years since she last studied.
Julie recently took her first exam and is waiting for her results. Julie also successfully completed a Food Hygiene course arranged by Elaine as she wants to work in the catering and hospitality industry or in retail.
Julie has said she would now like to go on to do Level 2 ITC skills. She said
“I’m looking forward to more learning as well as paid employment. If it hadn’t been for the support of Five Lamps, I would never have taken that “big first step”. I am now doing more studying and applying for jobs”
This single Mum isn’t daunted by learning and work anymore.