Fajer Finds the Right Role with Grow

Fajer joined the Grow programme in November 2024 after meeting the team at her child’s school. At the time, she was experiencing a difficult period in her life, having recently lost her brother, for whom she had been a full-time carer. She was also looking to return to work after a career break to care for her young child. Five months later, with consistent support from Grow and her own persistence, she secured a job with the London Ambulance Service as a Healthcare Adviser.

Fajer said “When I saw Laura and Liz from the Grow team at my son’s school, I went to speak to them to find out more. I was really down at the time and just wanted to do anything to get out of that place in my head. They explained the programme, registered me on the app, and showed me how to access weekly job links. I started applying through the app and other portals and even got offered some roles.

“Initially, I was looking for remote roles which is what I’d done during COVID. But most jobs I saw were asking for recent experience, which was hard because I had a gap in my CV. I did get offered some jobs however but they were not quite right for me and Laura’s guidance had encouraged me to really think about my choices, so I persevered.

“Karen supported me with my CV. She told me I had the right skills, but the format needed work. She completely restructured it and tailored it for healthcare roles. I had two CV sessions with her, and that made a real difference.

“When I got through the first stage of interviews with the London Ambulance Service, Laura connected me with Kaneez who referred me to Smart Works for interview coaching and clothing. The session there helped me prepare for my final interview stage. The coach I spoke to had experience in healthcare and gave me insight into the types of questions I might be asked. That preparation helped me feel more confident.

“The job I’ve now secured is part-time—two days a week—which works well for me now that I have some family support at home. It’s not remote, but it is relevant to my past experience working in GP surgeries and NHS call centres.”

“Looking back, when I first joined Grow I wasn’t clear on exactly what I wanted, I just knew I needed to do something. Laura helped me take a step back and focus on making the right decision instead of rushing. That advice helped shape my approach.”

“Grow gave me structure and direction at a time when I needed it. From CV support and job links to interview preparation and referrals, the team were always there with practical help.”