Leanne had been unemployed for two years before she started the Horizons Your Work programme. ‘The Barclaycard Horizons course built my confidence and self-esteem both personally and in the work place. The interview techniques proved invaluable for both my job at Barclaycard and any future opportunities. The training helped me understand the advantages to work and the effects it can have on daily life, as opposed to staying at home. It also helped me realise the skills I actually had and that my needs mattered too. It helped being among other lone parents who had similar experiences.’

From April 2008, Leanne has been working in Barclaycard’s Kirkby office as a Telephone Collection operator in the New Debt department, 28 hours per week and now feels really good about her life.

‘I feel proud to be able to give back to the family members who supported me after having my daughter. I can now join in activities with my friends and their children, and I feel worth something.’