Marilyn, a mother of two, first connected with the Parental Employment Programme through a CV Writing Workshop delivered in partnership with the DWP Family and Community Work Coaching team at St Stephen’s Children’s Centre.
At the time, Marilyn was studying for a Business and Marketing degree and had previously completed marketing studies abroad. She was keen to strengthen her CV, explore career opportunities, and find ways to balance childcare alongside her studies.
Following the workshop, Marilyn received tailored one-to-one support to refine her CV and build her employability skills. During these sessions, she also shared her ambition to start her own business, drawing on her marketing background and international experience.
Recognising her potential, she was supported to explore the King’s Trust Enterprise Programme — an initiative designed to help young people develop and launch their own businesses.
Through dedicated sessions, Marilyn was supported to:
- Develop and structure her business idea
- Understand how her skills and experience could shape her business
- Prepare for an information call with the Enterprise Programme team
- Complete her application with confidence
Following a successful information call, Marilyn was invited to apply for the programme — a significant milestone in her journey towards entrepreneurship.
Alongside this, ongoing support has been provided to help her navigate childcare and university commitments, ensuring she can continue progressing towards her goals.
Marilyn’s journey highlights the impact of early intervention, personalised support, and strong partnership working. What began as a CV workshop has evolved into a clear pathway towards entrepreneurship, empowering her to pursue her ambitions and create opportunities for herself and her community.
Participant Voice:
“Thank you so much for helping me with this. I didn’t know how to start and was thinking I had to do it on my own but it is really good to have your help. I hope they accept to support me because it will help me so much to achieve my dream and to help my community.”