Michelle’s story

32 year old Michelle HIrst has transformed her life in just ten months and says that it’s thanks to Sova that she has achieved so much.

“My life was a mess when I first came here. I desperately needed direction. I’d managed to get myself a house but I had no idea how to sort out my bills. I also needed a job but I didn’t know where to start.

“Sova helped me to move on.

“I started coming here to get help doing a job search. It was really relaxed and friendly so I got talking to people that’s when I heard about the allotment.

“I went up to the allotment quite a bit and helped to dig it out. It took a long time but I was so excited about planting the seeds that I planted them in the office and put them on the windowsill.

“I think the project worked for me because it got me back into the community doing something productive and it gave me confidence to work in a group. I didn’t have any confidence before.

“After a while Sova put me forward to become a peer mentor which means I can help others get the support they need.

“Before I came here I had no idea my life could be so different in less than a year. I didn’t have a CV back then, now it’s full of qualifications and experience.

“I love that I’m helping other people after someone helped me – it’s so satisfying to do that for someone else. I hope I can keep doing this in the future but I’m grateful to Sova that they have helped me find the opportunity to help others here or elsewhere.”