Helen Aird discovers how an innovative course is helping women cope with setbacks
MOTHER Tracey Enslie admits she is lacking in confidence when it comes to finding a job. The 35-year-old has been out of work for three years since splitting from her husband, at which point she decided she needed to devote more time to her three children who struggled with the change.
But now she hopes to turn things around and return to the workplace.
She is just one of the many women starting a course run by Inverness-based charity Women Influencing Change, which encourages confidence-building and personal development.
Run by life coach Elsie Normington and trainer Liz Syred, it aims to enable women to play a more active role in society.
"We are enthusiastic about seeing women empowered in life, particularly if they have children and are trying to find work, and are lacking in confidence," explained Mrs Normington.
The charity works with a range of women, from the long-term unemployed to those struggling with difficult family backgrounds or addiction problems.
Describing the Reaching High courses as "innovative," Mrs Normington explained group sessions are coupled with one-to-one confidential life coaching.
"It is very non-threatening," she said, adding many of the activities are designed to get people to open up.
The courses cover a range of issues, from dealing with change to controlling anger and how to become more assertive. They also get the participants to look at their skills, to start thinking about getting a job, what they can do, what they would like to do, interviewing skills and how to present themselves.
The pair also take part in role play to highlight scenarios.
"They find that quite amusing," Mrs Normington said.
"They are not put under any pressure to do anything."
The aim is to motivate women, enabling them to move on to either volunteering, study, work placements or employment.
"People often say it gives them what they need to get motivated, get inspired and get up and go, to believe they can have a life," she said, adding a simple thing like a new haircut can make someone feel more positive.
The courses have been running for several years and more than 20 women are starting this month in the Madras Street Mission Hall, Merkinch, Hilton Community Centre and Smithton Free Church.
The charity has been running a hot-desk at the Job Centre in Inverness to talk to women and enroll them on the course.
Women Influencing Change is supported by Highland Council and since its inception in 2008, more than 80 women have been helped through its Reaching High courses.
Mrs Enslie, of Evan Barron Road, Hilton, found out about the course through a support worker and is due to start a six-week block at Hilton Community Centre.
"When I split up from my husband, the kids found it hard," said Mrs Enslie, a mother to Brian (15), Chelsea (14) and Jamie (10).
"I hope the course will help me get back into work and give me confidence. I just really wanted to do it because they show you how to go about interviews, which I think will really help."
