A 16-year-old who is growing up in Coventry’s care system has secured school holiday work after a mix-up at CV Life’s Xcel Leisure Centre.
NK, who we cannot name fully, signed up for the organisation’s Holiday, Food and Activity not realising the programming is primarily aimed at children aged up to 11.
When she arrived at Xcel on the first day of the holidays, she was taken aback to see she was actually closer in age to some of the staff.
Having spoken with and explained her predicament to head of community development Wendy Jackson, she was invited to stay and help out with activities.
But having enjoyed herself so much, as well as proving to be a very welcome helping hand, NK was invited to return the following day.
This resulted in the teenager securing her first ever paid job, something her foster mum Nickie says has made her incredibly proud.
Nickie said: “On that first day Wendy offered NK the opportunity to help out as she was obviously much older than the other children. She loved it, she ended up going back practically every day – she’s got younger siblings so she’s really good with kids, I think her favourite part was working closely with the children.
“Then she was just so happy when she was presented with a purple CV Life t-shirt – it’s such a big thing as it made her feel like she belonged. She’s been meeting people her own age, getting out and about. She loved it – it made her summer and she’s really proud of herself.
“Due to her circumstances growing up, she can struggle with walls and boundaries, so the fact she happily got up every day to go and work 8.30am to 4pm is incredible.
“Before this she’d been such a home bird, she’d stay home on her phone. She wasn’t very social, but this has led to her making friends and going out and doing things, which is just amazing.”
Nickie has been fostering children for five years. At the age of 38 her own children were almost all grown up and she decided she wanted to give back. Initially she wanted to donate her eggs to people unable to conceive, but on being told she wasn’t the right age to do so, she turned to fostering. She hasn’t looked back.
NK is the fourth child to come and live in her family home, moving in when she was 14.
Nickie said: “NK has been living with us for around two years. Before she came to us she wasn’t going to school a lot, but we managed to get her in most days and bring some structure. She’s grown and matured so much since coming to us – she’s now at college doing health and social care.
“She’s a lovely girl – if she can get her head down she’ll go far in life and really make something of herself.”
CV Life’s head of community development Wendy Jackson said: “NK has been an absolute pleasure to have around during the holidays. Everyone has been full of praise for her attitude and hands on approach.
“She turned up every day with a smile and a strong work ethic which is all we can ask for. She’s been a real asset and we look forward to working with her more in the future.”