Future Bright offers free career coaching, to help people across the region, increasingly including mums, develop the skills and confidence you need to take your next step. Here’s Kat’s story…
Kat contacted Future Bright because she was in the middle of a career change. The previous year she had left her job in the NHS to retrain as an acupuncturist, whilst holding down part-time work. Kat had just started trading as a sole trader and the process of growing her business felt huge.
“As a single self-employed mom on a low income, I can’t begin to tell you how exhausting it can be trying to make strides in your career while worrying about finances in a very unstable world.
“There is a lot to understand and to manage in terms of being a sole trader and an independent health practitioner from a business and legal perspective. I have been learning as I have been going along and a lot of the times it is overwhelming when you are on your own and trying to juggle everything.”
Kat was matched with Simon, a Future Bright Career Coach, and together they started to create a plan about the way forwards. Kat had already received specialist small business advice from Cool Ventures, but with Simon’s support, she could plan how to turn this into a reality. Kat started to treat regular clients and grow her practice. She also took on a role as a part-time Practice Manager, to increase her income.
Reflecting on her journey with Future Bright Kat says, “My coach helps keep me on track with actions I need to take, has helped me access charitable funds for equipment and has signposted for help with my finances. I feel very supported and encouraged and never judged, even though I constantly bend his ear off.
“Knowing that there is someone there I can turn to for advice, support and signposting is really reassuring. And I don’t feel alone and if I am worried or concerned about anything, I can discuss it with Simon and I know I will get support and understanding as well as practical guidance.
“I feel far more secure and confident in the career choices I have made and my little boy is also feeling the benefit of this now. He is very proud of his mom who took a massive gamble to follow a new career.”
Is Future Bright for me?
Future Bright offers FREE one-to-one career coaching to residents:
- in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire
- aged 18 and over
- in paid work (including zero hours and self-employed)
- Support you to create a career action plan
- Explore career progression opportunities with you
- Help you with employability tools and skills such as CV, personal statement, application and interview techniques
- Help you to build your confidence and motivation
Our support is tailored to each individual and the level of support may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
How do I sign up?
Go to www.futurebright.org.uk and fill in our online form or call 01225 395555 for a chat with the team.