Coventry carer gains confidence after finding support
A Coventry carer has regained her confidence after finding support from a job coaching service in the city
A Coventry carer has regained her confidence after finding support from a job coaching service in the city.
Cherlisa, 57, has looked after a close relative since moving to the city without knowing anybody more than a decade ago.
While she had friends back in London, Cherlisa said she lacked connections in the city: “There’s little interactions but this whole thing can be quite, it can take hold of you completely,”
Cherlisa wants a job that will help her gain a connection with the community as she believes she will be “isolated” at the moment yet the Binley resident has seen her life change after being referred to Coventry’s Job Shop, a free council-run service which has job coaching and vacancies.
She gained help with her CV and is now “so happy” with it, completed courses and found a twice-weekly volunteering opportunity at a Myton shop in the city.
Cherlisa who gained a qualification in radio 30 years ago is also helping out at a radio station and will have training there.
Cherlisa said she had no confidence when applying to jobs at first but now has “much more.”
Cherlisa started at the Myton shop two weeks ago and is able to go home and help her loved one after working in the morning and early afternoon.
Working at the shop has had a huge impact on her: “I am not the same person. I have so much fun,” Cherlisa said. “It’s very friendly, very nice. I really like it.”
The change was also helpful for her relative who wants Cherlisa to get connected to the world again, "What I did is I tapped into who am I actually? What were my passions?” said Cherlisa.
“I’m getting back to myself because when you’re caring you’re not tuned to yourself at all.”