Showing her commitment to the future, Sophia found a position as a care worker even before she had finished her programme at LoveWell. It was a measure of her determination to recover her self-worth after years of ill-treatment in the home of a foreign diplomat.

Helped by a charity to escape from a life of domestic servitude and modern day slavery, Sophia settled in Bristol. Once referred to LoveWell, her biggest challenge was adapting to team work. We supported her in unlearning unhelpful working practices and she proved to be highly
motivated and hardworking.

Learning to manufacture the products built her confidence, and instilled pride in her skills and achievements. The employability training also helped her feel better prepared for the workplace.

"The fact that the programme is career focused was extremely important to me."

She found being a part of something and having something to focus her in the week was a hugely enjoyable aspect of the programme. Experiencing the dynamics of a developing team led to Sophia feeling more confident in group settings.

"I felt part of a team, I have gained new friendships, and I am confident in group and work settings. I did not feel able to hold proper conversations before."

Now she has been taken on by a local care support service, working with people in their homes and visiting residents in their flats to offer support.

"I find peace of mind at work. The residents are welcoming, always cheerful and very kind. I find it very easy to work with them, and also working with my colleagues. We work as a team to support them. I’m very happy in my job."

Sophia has become an advocate for our work here at LoveWell, and we couldn't be happier to have played a part in her incredible story!  

‘I still talk about LoveWell today. It was a life-changing experience. You welcomed me to Bristol, and helped me in overcoming my past and to be a strong woman. In life, if you have people to push you, you can do anything.
I had a good foundation, which was LoveWell.’