Lakisha’s story

I was in college, in year 12, and unfortunately I developed an eating disorder so I had to stop going to college. I wasn’t working either. I used to go to Hopewood for my eating disorder treatment. I did open up about my family, and that’s when the nurse I was working with referred me to Social Services. They did a couple of assessments but didn’t see any immediate risks to our family at the time, so they took a step back.  Because of my sister’s health, she and I were not in education, so that’s when they referred both of us to Early Help. That’s where we met Jackie.

The first time, Jackie came to our house, introduced herself and told us what she was there for and what she would help us with. She explained how it would work and that she would help us back into education or in finding work.  She could work one to one with both me and my sister. She used to help us how to apply for jobs and helped us with our CVs as well as apprenticeships.  We came across one which was for a Healthcare Assistant apprenticeship at Nottingham College. She really helped me because you have to write quite a bit about yourself and she helped me to make a really good personal statement.  That’s when I applied. When I got my interview, she really helped me with what kinds of things I should say, how I should answer questions and improved my confidence. When I went to interview they told me the same day I had got the role.  The next week she came she was really happy for me and really proud. 

My apprenticeship started in September in one of the clinics at the hospital. I’m really enjoying it and it’s something different every day. I feel a lot more confident, happier and my mental health is a lot better and it’s really nice to have something to do, having been out of education for a long time – nine months.

Not long after,she also helped my sister to apply for college, which my sister got into. We are both really thankful. She helped us a lot.

She helped my Mum too as my Dad was arrested at the time for domestic abuse, so she really supported us with what to do and where to get advice and support. She helped the whole family and sometimes she would speak to my brother too who was also struggling with his mental health. 

We really miss her – she really helped all of us.

In the future I would like to apply for a TNA Nursing apprenticeship when I have completed this one.