Voluntary Work Pays off for Karen
Karen Murphy, (36), is an inspiration to many. She has had more challenges than most parents to cope with. Karen has 2 daughters, Ellie May aged 8, and Mollie 6. Ellie May was born with Spina Bifida and Epilepsy.
Visits to the hospital are the norm for Karen and her older daughter, Ellie May. The little girl bravely endures treatment everyday being plugged to a machine which drains products from her body. She has undergone countless operations.
Even so, Karen is determined to make Ellie May’s life as normal as possible and doesn’t “wrap her up in cotton wool”.
Karen has been supported by her mum and dad who are always on hand to give her a bit of a break. They have travelled in the middle of the night to look after little Mollie, when Karen has taken Ellie May to hospital. The overwhelming responsibility of it all lies with Karen and this is sometimes very daunting.
Karen was spending more and more time alone, draining her of her self esteem, confidence and general positivity. At times she felt really down, feeling very sorry for herself and not wanting to leave the house. Karen said:
“I would only go out when absolutely necessary. I would dread someone asking, “How’s Ellie May getting on?
Karen added:” One day, after hitting an all time low, I decided to turn things round. I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I thought, no use worrying about things that may or may not happen. I realised more than anything, I wanted to make my girls proud of me and wanted some self respect.”
Then her younger daughter, Mollie, started school, one of the teachers said they were looking for people to help with reading. Karen went in every week day morning for 3 years. She would listen to children read and do some maths with them. Karen enjoyed this enormously and dreamed of working in the school.
This spurred her on to study and get her GCSEs in English and Maths. At the same time Karen did a Teaching Assistant course and achieved a level 2 qualification. Karen left school many years earlier aged 16, with no qualifications, so it was back to basics for her. It was difficult but rewarding. Holding on to her dream made her work hard.
The training and the voluntary work increased Karen’s confidence. Karen hoped her voluntary work would lead to a job but wasn’t sure it would actually happen.
Karen worried about how it would affect her benefits if she did start work, so she went to see a specialist adviser at Wythenshawe Jobcentre Plus, Catherine Hynes. Catherine gave Karen detailed information about how much better off in work she would be. She was told even though she would loose her Carer’s Allowance, she could claim Working Tax Credit and would still be significantly better off. Karen found out she was entitled to a £250 Job Grant and free Council Tax and Housing benefit for 4 weeks. On top of this she was also eligible for a new ‘In-work payment’ of £40 a week for 12 months, which really helped.
As she had hoped, a position became available at the school for a Teaching Assistant. Karen applied for it and was successful. Catherine at the Jobcentre sorted out all her benefits.
Karen said:
“I couldn’t believe how much help is available for people in my situation. The whole process was much simpler than I had expected.”
Now she loves her job and because her children are at the same school is able to fit all her caring duties in. Karen added:
“I started work on my birthday. It was a really good present. I have found my vocation and I love it. It’s not like going to work. I’m having fun with what I’m doing.”
When asked what advice she would give to others in the same situation Karen said:” Go for it.”
If you are a single parent and would like more information about returning to work contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Leave a Comment