Working Chance - Dainya’s story

Single Mum of two, Dainya, thought she would never find a job – the combination of her criminal conviction and her childcare needs left her struggling to find employment. That all changed with the support of Working Chance.

At first, she was very sceptical about the help Working Chance could give her. She wasn’t comfortable talking about her conviction, feeling it would always be a hindrance. However, after speaking with a Working Chance advisor, everything changed.

“Working Chance were amazing. They listened to me and advised me, providing a very personal approach to skills building, CV writing, interview exercises and experience to build up my confidence. They really helped me to learn to not be embarrassed by my conviction and that I can move forward and that there is hope”.

Having built up her confidence, her next obstacle was finding a role sufficiently flexible to meet her childcare needs. She spotted a job she really wanted with Thames Water, but without family and child support around her, she faced barriers to taking a job too far from home.

Amazingly the employer understood, and a few days later, Dainya got a call about another job at a different Thames Water location, just around the corner. Not only was the job more local, but they created a job-share just for her, so that she could work part-time. She was delighted to accept the job, which was tailor made to her needs.

"Having a criminal record hindered me for a long time but my future’s bright and I know Working Chance’s door will be open for me.”

Working Chance is proud to now have Dainya on their Advisory Panel, made up of women with lived experience of the criminal justice system who provide guidance and feedback on all aspects of their work. Recently, they supported her to bravely tell her story on a BBC News feature, reflecting on her experience of a bail house after leaving prison.

Natasha Finlayson OBE, Chief Executive of Working Chance says: “Funding from CABWI enables us to continue providing this vital support to women like Dainya, ensuring they have the opportunities they need to thrive in meaningful employment. Working Chance is so grateful to CABWI for helping to make opportunities like this possible for women with convictions.”