Case Study 4 - Nataliya, Bideford

A young Bideford mum is getting her career on track, thanks to sheer determination and her local UK online centre.

Since arriving in this country from Ukraine three years ago, 27 year old Nataliya Ince has not only perfected her English but is also looking forward to a new career as an occupational psychologist.

She explains: "I had studied Psychology and English at a university in my native Ukraine before meeting my husband Martin in Austria. I moved back to England with him and we started a family. But, just over 12 months ago, I set my sights on returning to work.

"After looking after my two young children for three years, I wanted some time to do something for myself. However, to get back into work I knew that I would need good IT skills - and the right computing skills to be confident enough to work in a different country and a different language," says Nataliya.

"I went to Sure Start, which helps parents get back into work. When I explained what I wanted, they told me to go to Bideford Open Access Centre which is a UK online centre. In March, I enrolled for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), which teaches you all the basics of computers, like word processing, spreadsheets and email.

"There is no pressure and I can do the course on my own at my own speed. The staff are always there to help and guide me and they have become good friends. They didn’t make me feel inadequate if there was something I couldn’t do or couldn’t understand! They were always patient and encouraging.

"The people at the UK online centre also helped me set up the internet on my own computer and, if anything goes wrong, they help to sort out the problem. Now I have a much deeper understanding of computers and the way they work."

Bideford Open Access Centre also introduced Nataliya to e-government web sites, such as www.directgov.gov.uk . She says: "I had no idea how much government information was available online. Now I use these sites for my own personal needs – for instance dealing with immigration issues as I am considering applying for British citizenship. The sites are easy to find, easy to use and have helped to simplify my life.

"I went to the UK online centre once a week for two hours from March and won my first certificate in November. I was determined to move on to the next stage as quickly as possible so I enrolled in the first year of a Psychology and Social Work course at North Devon College, which I now attend three days a week."

She says: "To do my studies at North Devon College, I have to be good at searching for and sourcing information. For this, I rely on what I have learned at Bideford Open Access Centre. It’s great that now I really know how to use the internet and make it work for me."

While Nataliya was studying, she needed to really concentrate on her computer course, so Bideford Open Access Centre provided a free crèche in the same building where she could leave the children in safe hands and with the peace of mind that they were being looked after. Now, the children attend nursery on the three days that she’s at college.

She adds: "It’s been good for the children to learn to be away from me and very good for me to have time to do my own thing. It’s given me a much needed break and boosted my self-esteem."

"When I first came to England, I felt a bit isolated and there was no time and no energy to think about anything other than the children. But I knew that I wanted a career for myself. Bideford Open Access Centre has been a great stepping stone. It’s given me new friends and the self-confidence I need to make a career in England."

"I am really grateful to the UK online centre for helping me to regain my confidence and get the skills I needed to study for a worthwhile career – at the same time as enjoying being a mother to my two little girls."