Hazel's story

When Hazel was 15 she was expelled from two schools and left without any qualifications. Her future looked bleak and she turned to drink and drugs. A lot of people around her were also taking drugs.
"You are just in that area and you think it's the norm. You ain't got school, you ain't got hobbies."

She stayed with her partner but the relationship did not survive. Hazel found it difficult on her own with a young child and knew she needed qualifications to get a job that would support them both. She first came to YWCA to take an IT course but has gone on to complete a number of other courses to improve her skills, and passed her English GCSE. Her experience has made her want to be more independent and this
is what drives her to do well in the future.

"I don't want to start all over again. I want to support me and my daughter. For her to do well I have to look after me as well."

The new confidence and focus that Hazel has gained in her time at YWCA led her to enrol on a college
course in painting and decorating.

"Coming here I knew I wanted to do something, I just didn't know what. I looked up hair and beauty but there isn't really any money in it and so many women do it these days. I want a decent wage. I want my house to be nice and the money to do it."

Hazel had always enjoyed helping her mother out with decorating at home and she spent time working
with a friend who was a painter. Now Hazel has decided to make painting and decorating her career
she feels positive about her future.

"I love it every time I do it; it makes you feel so proud of yourself achieving and all that."

 Read other young women's stories.