Gabriela sent an email to the Lambeth Adult Learning inbox which detailed that she was a victim of domestic abuse; on receiving the email I notified Connecting Communities management due to safeguarding concerns. I then met with Gabriela at the Lambeth Civic Centre where I registered her onto the provision and liaised with customer support at the Council as to the best person to speak to for emergency accommodation. The customer support staff were amazing, speaking to her and identified which part of the housing department would be able to provide the best support.
Gabriela was staying with a friend and within a few weeks, the council found suitable accommodation for her, where she was extremely happy with. Due to her situation, she did not have access to a computer and some funds. After speaking to management, Connecting Communities was able to provide a laptop and financial support. I contacted the JCP with Gabriela’s approval and explained to them her situation, where her claim for Universal Credit was fast-tracked to help and support her. I also contacted an organisation in Lambeth called IRMO asking for any support links to help individuals who have been in a similar situation to Gabriela.
She has been provided with ongoing support and IAG, where we undertook CV support, interview sessions, face-to-face and remote employability sessions as well as embedding soft skills training to help with her confidence and self-esteem. Working on her CV, she applied for roles via the Opportunity Lambeth Portal; as well as other roles which I sent to her and roles she externally applied for.
Gabriela was attending interviews and struggled to reach the finish line to secure employment. Based on feedback, we put a plan into place and targeted those areas which needed improvement. Through constant applications, she was securing interviews and one interview was with Lambeth Council as a Concierge via the leisure centres.
Whilst Gabriela was waiting for the outcome, ongoing support via emails or telephone contact was constantly provided helping with her confidence and self-belief, especially when she was having interviews but falling short of securing the role.
Gabriela was notified that she had secured employment as a Concierge with the council and through correspondence with HR; she has now started working. She is so happy; her confidence has skyrocketed, and her self-worth/self-belief has increased. As well as working for the Council, Gabriela is also undertaking a course with AVA (Against Violence and Abuse), where once qualified; she will be able to support other individuals who have gone through the same issues as herself; providing social value and impact to help others.