Building a new future – Rebecca’s story

Before joining Better Working Futures, Rebecca enjoyed her role at a local garden centre. However, managing a severe spinal condition - diagnosed at a young age and requiring four rounds of surgery - made continuing in that role increasingly difficult.

“I never let it define me; it took a toll on my physical and emotional well-being and created uncertainty about my future - especially regarding working again.” Said Rebecca.

Rebecca met with Employment Adviser, Sarah who got to know her situation, experience, and future job goals. Together they discussed transferrable skills, and potential courses that would support her on this journey to achieve her end goal. It was identified that Rebecca wanted to pursue a career as a celebrant but was aware of the course duration to become qualified for this role.

“I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Sarah and the team at Better Working Futures, this opportunity became a turning point for me, as I had the chance to pursue my career goals and to transform my personal experiences into something meaningful.”

Our team of experienced Employment Advisers are on hand to support participants wanting to follow self-employed career routes with business planning, marketing, and further training.

Sarah was able to fund the cost of the celebrant course, enabling Rebecca to begin her studies. The course spanned eight months, and during this time, Rebecca remained eager to find work to support herself financially and prepare for her future self-employment goals.

Together, Sarah and Rebecca worked on a gold standard CV that was tailored to suit retail work. Rebecca was eager to get back into work but remained mindful of the physical demands of certain positions. They worked closely to identify and apply for suitable roles that aligned with her capabilities and long-term goals. Rebecca told us: “Balancing work and study were challenging, but it gave me structure and a sense of progress.

“I received invaluable employability support from Sarah, who worked with me to identify my strengths, build my confidence, and guide me through the process of returning to work. Their encouragement and practical advice helped me navigate the challenges of job searching and self-employment, and they were instrumental in helping me see the possibilities ahead.

“Each session was a stepping stone toward building my confidence and honing my skills. The training with Better Working Futures not only equipped me to be confident again, but I began to believe in myself and confront my anxiety - it gave me my life back.”

Working in retail has prepared Rebecca for her next career move, with a customer facing role, while also allowing her to manage her health more effectively.

“I now feel empowered to step into the world as a Funeral and Wedding Celebrant. I am excited to embrace this new role and continue to grow - both personally and professionally.”