Pam Roberts with staff at Crest and Cartrefi Conwy

A GRANDMOTHER is urging the unemployed to take part in a life-changing back to work project.

Pam Roberts, 50, from Rhos on Sea, suffered from low confidence for more than three years. Her life changed when she was asked to take part in the Gateway Project, run by
social enterprise Crest Co-operative and housing association Cartrefi Conwy.

The 12 week course allowed Pam to slowly re-enter the workplace. By working at Llandudno Junction based Crest, she gained experience in retail and worked to support adults with learning disabilities.

Pam, who finished the project this week, will be returning to Crest as a volunteer and hopes to become a support worker in the future. She said: “Gateway has drastically
changed my life. I didn’t even have the confidence to take my grandchildren to
school and now I drop them off. Working at Crest has boosted my self-esteem.

“It has opened up doors for me. Having a support network and working with people in similar situations has been fantastic.”

Although the project was originally open to Cartrefi Conwy tenants, opportunities are now available for unemployed Conwy and Denbighshire residents aged 18-65.

Non-profit recycling company Crest will open its doors to 13 Gateway participants on January 30.

Jane Roberts, volunteer co-ordinator at Crest, said: “The Gateway project has had  life-changing results. Some participants will return to Crest as volunteers. It has opened doors for service users to enter further education.
“Crest is a friendly environment and we take an informal approach. We offer
great support and we can really help people.”

If you are unemployed, aged 18-65 and can commit one day each week for 12 weeks, call Jane Roberts at Crest on 01492 563458.