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Before joining the WEA Franciska was struggling with mental health issues and trying to juggle working supermarket hours with caring for her young daughter. 

The Hungarian 34-year-old was suffering with depression, anxiety and panic attacks.  

“It was a struggle at the supermarket with the long shifts, especially if my daughter was ill. My partner’s a painter and decorator and works long hours, and I only had my mum to help me with my daughter.” 

“I had huge mental health problems, but the WEA tutors really helped me.” 

Franciska enrolled on teaching assistant and mental health awareness courses and now, thanks to the WEA, has turned her life around with the start of a fresh career. 

She’s now moving towards working in schools, with more flexibility for caring for her daughter, and has just applied for a job at her daughter’s school. 

“The WEA has given me confidence and I’ve just applied for a job in my daughter’s school! A local nursery has also asked me to apply for an apprenticeship with them. 

“I’ve been told I could even be a teacher,  so I might try that too!”