Naadirah Khalifa
Before discovering the Prince’s Trust, Naadirah was in long-term unemployment and finding it hard to look to the future. After completing an employment course, she’s now back on track.
Naadirah had her confidence eaten away by unemployment after an injury meant she had to leave her job. She signed onto Jobseeker’s Allowance, yet a quick return to work never materialised and she began to lose belief in herself.
"In 2015 I had to leave my retail job because I had a problem with my knee. My bosses weren’t very supportive. They put me on the tills and gave me a chair, but after a week they put me back onto the shop floor. No one seemed to understand how difficult it was for me just to get through each day."
"All I wanted to do was get back to work. When I signed on to Jobseeker’s Allowance I wanted to move forward quickly but I didn’t receive the support I needed. No one was listening to me. I lost a lot of my confidence."
"One day at the Job Centre I saw a leaflet for an employment course with The Prince’s Trust. I thought at least I’ll be doing something with my time! It was the first time since the unemployment that I felt a bit happy."
"I was really nervous, but I met the tutor and he put me at ease straight away. It was out of my comfort zone but I really enjoyed it. As the course went on I felt more confident and motivated. It was an amazing opportunity that helped me learn new skills and start believing in myself a lot more. It gave me my spark back."
"I learned a lot about myself. I had been really quiet, really shy, but I learned I had much more confidence than I thought. I think I was stuck in that loop because people assumed that’s who I was."
"At the end of the course we had a celebration event where I was introduced to two amazing mentors, Paula and Shân. We talked about what I wanted in life, the things that were holding me back, and what I could do to move forward. I focused on my personal development and self-belief. Through them I got the chance to go on a short course with the BBC and work at Leicester City Council. I recently graduated from a Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship. Paula and Shân were there cheering me on! I was so proud."
"I’m now working full time at a call centre. I love it there! I’ve also been volunteering to help other young people who are struggling with the same things I was. It feels really great to help them because I can see myself in them."
"I feel a lot more confident. I feel like I can take on whatever challenges come at me. I don’t think I’d be doing what I’m doing without The Prince’s Trust, and without people who believed that I had something to offer."
Your support ...
- Helps young people like Naadirah live independently, and deal confidently with life’s challenges
- Allows young people to continue learning, like Naadirah did on her apprenticeship
- Means young people like Naadirah have the skills they need to earn a living