New business is a piece of cake for Sabrina

Sabrina Baker, 38 from Swansea had worked in Retail for many years since leaving school. Sabrina gave up work to have her two children and look after her family, but when the children went into full-time school, Sabrina decided she needed to get back into work, but didn’t know where to start.

In September, 2016 Sabrina went along to Fforestfach Library to look for job search sessions, the Library staff recommended that she speak to Workways+. Sabrina met with Lisa the local Workways+ mentor and they discussed options available to her based on her previous experience.

Having initially considered retail as a first choice, juggling family life and fitting working hours around the children wasn’t going to work. Lisa could tell that Sabrina’s heart wasn’t really in retail and they discussed other options. Lisa asked “what would be your dream job?” to which she replied I would love my own Cake Business. Lisa supported Sabrina by making contact with other agencies to help in her quest to starting her own business. Lisa helped her every step of the way, working on Sabrina’s confidence and encouraging her to go for her dream.

Workways+ put Sabrina on a Food Hygiene Course and helped her set up a social media presence. In January 2017, Sabrina’s dream of her owning her own business came true and ‘Bees Creative’ was launched.

Sabrina said “I never ever thought I would have my own business, it had always been my dream but I didn’t think it was possible. Workways+ made me realise it was possible, they put me on the courses that I needed to get the relevant certificates to start. My mentor was so patient and couldn’t do enough for me. Thanks to Workways+, I now do my dream job every day and get paid for it, I can fit it around the children and I couldn’t be happier.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “Sabrina is the latest in a long line of people to have benefitted from the Workways+ project.

“It’s extremely satisfying to hear how the project has transformed Sabrina’s life by setting her on the path to her dream job. Expert advice and support continues to be on hand for people inspired by Sabrina’s story who’d like to break down barriers they may be facing in their quest to get back into the workplace.”

Workways+ is backed by £7.5m of EU funds through the Welsh Government. The project is led by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council in collaboration with Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Councils.