Valency Gets a Job as an SMSA

At GRoW, we support women who want to return to work but may feel unsure about how to start again. Whether they’ve been raising children, juggling family life, or just haven’t had the confidence to take that first step, our team is here to help with friendly, practical support.

Valency recently started her new role as a School Meals Supervisory Assistant in Hounslow. She’d been out of work since 2022 after the birth of her second child. With help from the Grow Programme, she built her confidence, refreshed her skills, and secured a job that works for her family.

Valency said “After my second baby, I stayed at home and wasn’t working since 2022 when I had an admin job. I wanted to get back to work, but I had lost a lot of confidence. It’s not easy when you’ve been home with the kids – you start thinking maybe you can’t do it anymore. But I knew I had to try.

I found out about the Grow Programme and joined the Preparing to Work in Schools course – it was a Level 2 course and I really enjoyed it. I learned so much, especially about safeguarding children and protecting privacy. That part really stuck with me and gave me relevant knowledge.

Khatera was my advisor and she helped me with everything – my CV, interview tips, all the documents I needed. I had a mock interview with Karen too, which made such a big difference. Most of the questions I got in the real interview were just like the ones we practised, so I was ready.

I found the job on the Hounslow Council website – I just kept looking and applying like Khatera told me. She kept encouraging me, saying don’t give up, just keep trying. And she was right – I got the job!

I’m working now as a School Meals Supervisory Assistant. I started a few weeks ago and it’s going really well. It’s term time, Monday to Friday, and the hours fit perfectly with my family. My husband works evenings so I work in the mornings and he can look after our little one. It works for us.

The Grow community really helped me build myself up again. I joined the online workshops – the coffee mornings, the interview workshops – they were so helpful. I didn’t get to join everything, but I got a lot from the ones I did. I used the Grow app too, which gives you lots of updates and useful info.

“I’d say to other women – go for it. Confidence is so important and Grow was there to help and support me, and helped me feel ready. I am feeling very happy now.”