Our Restart Scheme delivery partner in Wiltshire, Go Train, supported single mum of three, Jossie, to achieve her goal of becoming self-employed.
“Initially, I started employment in the care sector, but I was working all the hours under the sun which had a massive impact on my health. I suffer with Fibromyalgia and made myself almost bed bound, constantly pushing myself. I had to leave this line of work due to my physical and mental health and had to move to Universal Credit. In a backwards way it was one of the best things I did, because it made me realise what was important in life and that I wanted to be home more for my children.
“After hours of searching the internet, I decided to take the jump and become a self-employed independent Avon Rep/Sales Leader. The Chippenham Job Centre was amazing and put me in contact with the Restart Scheme with Go Train, where I got so much support and encouragement and the whole scary process of becoming self-employed was actually enjoyable.
“The Restart Scheme has had a fantastic impact on my journey into self-employment. From day one, my Employment Advisor, Rose, was open and friendly and went through everything that they could help me with, such as start-up costs with paying for uniform, travel and even down to things like ink for marketing. Having a base to contact and ask questions to has been very helpful when starting a venture I had no prior knowledge in.
“I really enjoy coming into the Go Train offices, it is always a positive experience that I constantly gain more knowledge from. Without the Restart Scheme and Go Train, I wouldn’t have been able to start my business so quickly and grow in confidence knowing I had support when I needed it. The biggest challenge I have faced was taking the first step and deciding I was definitely going to venture into the unknown and accepting help.
“I have now set up my business and I’m attending job fairs through the Go Train networks so that I can assist people in setting up their own business. This has been possible with the support from Employer Accounts Manager, Tina Dolman, and the staff at the Go Train office in Chippenham.
“The Restart Scheme has helped me network across job fairs, such as Swindon Go Train Job Fair, as an employer to support my now established business. I have also connected and enhanced my connections to organisations such as Building Bridges and networking with Go Train’s Engagement Officer, Martin Leighfield, to go to local Job Centre Plus Job Fairs in Chippenham and Trowbridge.
“I am now a self-employed single mum to three children. I am there for them as much as I want, I do the school runs, I can go to the nativities, and I can financially support my children and run my house. I have the best of both worlds. I have the work-life balance that everyone is after, and I don’t plan to ever give that up. And to make it even better, I do it by making other people successful. Life really doesn’t get much better.
“I LOVE the fact I am working in my own business and supporting other people in the same communities by helping to build new relationships with each other. I make other peoples dreams become a reality, and that wouldn’t have been such an easy process without the Restart Scheme and Go Train. I plan to use ALL the resources available to me through to make myself as successful as possible as an independent Avon rep and sales leader.”
#NoOneLeftBehind
In partnership with Go Train UK. The Restart Scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Area: Wiltshire
