Carmen Starts a Job as an After School Club Playworker

Mum of two, Carmen, joined the Kingston GRoW Programme in June and took part in the Successful Summer programme to help her find a job.

After moving to the UK from Hong Kong Carmen had dedicated her time to her family but felt the time was right to pursue work opportunities. With GRoW’s support she has now secured a part time job as a Playworker at an After School Club and is enjoying the opportunities work brings to her life.

Carmen said; “I had spent over 20 years working in purchasing and administration in Hong Kong. However, after settling in the UK, I knew I wanted to do something different. I wanted a job that would allow me to balance my work and my role as a mother. I knew that working in a school would provide the flexibility I needed, especially since it would allow me to fit my work around my children’s school hours.

I remember seeing information about the GRoW Programme in a school newsletter not long after I arrived in the UK, I read that it was an organisation that helped mothers like me return to work. At the time, moving to a new country, adjusting to a different lifestyle, and navigating the job market were too much so I wasn’t ready to start working yet. As time passed athough and I felt more settled, I knew it was time to take the next step.

I joined the GRoW Programme this summer and it made a huge difference in helping me find the right job. One of the biggest challenges I faced was my lack of confidence in interviews. In Hong Kong, I had worked at the same company for over 15 years and hadn’t needed to interview in a long time. I felt out of practice and unsure of how to present myself in a UK job market. That’s where the GRoW Programme came in.

I attended one of their online workshops focused on interview preparation which was presented by a guest speaker called Jonty Rooke MIEP who was really inspiring. This session was invaluable. It taught me what to expect in an interview, how to structure my answers, and how to relate my previous work experience to the roles I was applying for. The team at GRoW also gave me personalised advice on preparing for specific interviews, which helped ease my nerves. I was even able to reach out via WhatsApp for last-minute advice before an interview!

My first interview was for an administrative role in a school, and although I didn’t get the job, I learned a lot from the experience. The feedback was that I didn’t have enough school experience, but instead of feeling discouraged, I used it as an opportunity to improve. The GRoW team suggested I complete an online safeguarding course to boost my understanding of school environments and strengthen my future applications. This course turned out to be crucial because when I later interviewed for a play leader role at an After School Club, I was asked questions about safeguarding. Thanks to the course, I was confident in my answers and knew exactly what was expected in that environment.

I am now working as a part-time play leader at a local After School Club, just a 20-minute walk from my home. My hours are perfect—Monday to Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM—which means I can still be there for my daughters and manage everything at home. My youngest daughter is old enough to come home on her own, so I don’t have to worry about arranging childcare while I’m at work. This role fits perfectly with my life.

This is my first job since moving to the UK, and I am loving it. Not only does it provide financial independence, but it also feels great to be part of a team again and contribute to the community. I work with young children, which is such a rewarding experience, and it’s given me a sense of purpose and fulfilment that I hadn’t realised I was missing.

The support I received from the GRoW Programme was key to helping me regain my confidence and find a job that fits my life. Without their help, especially with interview preparation, I don’t think I would have secured this role as quickly. I hope my story encourages other women in similar situations to know that with the right support, it is possible to find a job that works for you and your family.”