A few years ago, Fiona, a mother of two from south London, was another
young professional working in the city. She had a successful career working for a global banking and financial services company.
However, like many people, austerity and a difficult global economic climate quickly turned her life upside down when she was made redundant in 2010.
"I had a great chance to work in the corporate world and seized every
opportunity that presented itself. It really paid off for me, I discovered that the world is full of amazing opportunities when you have the correct mindset and don't let things pass you by," Fiona said.
"After I lost my job in the city I wasn't sure what I would do next, but I
was fortunate to receive a lot of help from my housing association. My
Neighbourhood Services Officer encouraged me to enrol on 'introduction to youth work', a free course offered by L&Q. Taking part in the course got the ball rolling and since then my life has changed completely."
During her time on the training course Fiona met fellow L&Q resident Emma and the two women immediately hit it off. They decided to start up a social enterprise and by the end of 2012 the Young Mothers Support Network was born.
"The London riots really concerned me and I decided that I need to do
something in my community. I am a people person and really enjoy working with and supporting others, so creating a network that supports young mothers was something that was very close to my heart.
"Our main aim is to help and support young mothers in London, coach them and get them to access existing opportunities. The support we provide is quite broad and can reach from family mediation, to training and qualifications up to childcare support."
Fiona is still an L&Q resident and has even received funding from the L&Q Foundation to support her new social enterprise. She's also a member of L&Q's South Neighbourhood Committee and writes for a community newspaper.
"I am very grateful for all the help from L&Q. I feel that they are more than just my landlords and are genuinely interested in the wellbeing of my children and me. The Young Mothers Support Network is still in its early stages but through the continued support of L&Q I have already formed relationships with key stakeholders and am constantly widening my network.
"I strongly encourage other residents to take up the opportunities that L&Q have to offer as it can be very life changing and can have a massive impact on your direction in life."
"Our main aim is to help and support young mothers in London, coach them and get them to access existing opportunities."
Content on this page was produced and controlled by L&Q
