Before LWTT

Julie Boa moved back to Denny in Stirlingshire after being away for ten years.  Julie was a single parent with three small children with in her words, ‘not many friends.  ‘Although I lived next door to my parents it was lonely.  I felt excluded from society and I felt stupid because I did not have much to show for my life so far’.

Julie was encouraged by a neighbour to attend the local mother and toddler group.  For her, ‘this was a very scary experience my confidence was low’.  Members of the committee made Julie feel welcome and she was encouraged to attend parenting and other classes organised through the group.  Julie began to meet other people and still had time for herself and her family as the time commitment suited her.

The group met in a community flat established through the Government’s Urban Programme funded initiative.  Being the only community facility on the estate, it was the base for a range of community services and initiatives.  Julie was again encouraged to get involved in helping organise and run some of these activities.  Julie felt she was limited to the type of work, commitment and time she could give by her personal situation and lack of experience.  Julie agreed to volunteer for the management committee of the Denny Community Support Group who have overall responsibility for the flat, as she thought it would best fit what she could give.

Gradually Julie began to feel more at ease.  Attending meetings was a learning experience for her.  Julie watched how members interacted, who did what, why and how.  At first ‘everyone knew when to talk and used words I could not understand.  This was very confusing but through asking lots of questions I became more familiar with it all and what was the aim of the flat.  It is about providing the kind of support and opportunities which people with more money, access to transport, services and shops, good housing and jobs often take for granted.’

Meetings were attended on a regular basis and with a better understanding of local needs and issues she got involved as a volunteer with the lunch club, supporting the staff in the daily running of the project the youth clubs and play schemes.  Soon volunteering became a full time job, working with the community and the committee was a very important part of her life.

Working with young people is a key aim of the project and Julie was involved with all the clubs and groups.  Julie attended training on issues affecting young people and programme and activity planning.  This led to an invitation from the local community learning and development worker to participate in detached youth work training.  The more her experience and skills developed the more confident Julie became. 

After 2 years on the committee Julie became chairperson.  ‘This involved an increase in the workload.  There was now staff to supervise, agendas, minutes, meetings with other agencies and committee training to organise.  Training was also important to help me in this new role. I attended as much as I could, for example, support and supervision, fundraising, team building and committee skills. The training gave me the confidence and knowledge needed to run meetings efficiently, complete funding applications and helped me to work as part of a team’.

Learning and Training at LWTT

Julie wanted to do well to ‘make a difference to the community, to give back some of what they had been given’.  Julie felt they were ready to take on more structured learning, gaining some qualifications in the process.  The Higher National Certificate (HNC) 'Working With Communities' was advertised by Falkirk College and Julie saw this as her opportunity.

The Denny Community Support Group approached LWTT to explore the possibility of establishing a trainee opportunity.  This was arranged and Julie became the trainee.  So after 4 years as chairperson Julie resigned and become the trainee development worker studying for a degree.  ‘This is just such a great opportunity for me.  Look how far I have come in 6 years and what changes we have all made in our community’.

Life after LWTT

Julie is now managing a youth work team in a Manchester neighbourhood.

‘With a bit of self belief, a sense of worth and purpose you can move mountains.  You need the confidence, skills, understanding and experience though to do it and that is what LWTT has given me.  I think the way your work and learning are integrated makes the difference and opens it up to people like me’.