Resident returns to work and pays it forward in Leyton

‘He reminded me that I deserve to be in this job just as much as anyone else.’

After taking part in a pioneering employment programme led by L&Q and backed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Olga Campos, a single mum-of-two and long-time resident, is now working as a Community Assistant for us. She credits the programme with helping her secure the first role she applied for after a career break.

Originally from Guinea Bissau, Olga moved to the UK in 2000. A waitress for much of her early working life, she stepped back from work when her parents needed full-time care.   

“My dad had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I knew it would only get worse and wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.

Around the time, my mum had also started using a wheelchair and needed help around the house.

It was tough - cooking, cleaning, washing, all whilst caring for two young children - but I was happy to do it”

Though she paused her career to care for her parents, it was their support that ultimately gave her the strength to return. 

“My mum encouraged me to get back out there. She told me it was time to live my life. I had mixed emotions, but I knew I wanted to do better for my kids. Universal Credit wasn’t enough.”

A chance encounter led to a turning point. During an unrelated call to us about a repair, Olga heard a recorded message about employment support and decided to follow it up.

People who have been out of employment can feel as though they’ve lost touch with the world of work.

Add in the pace of technological change in this economic climate, and returning can feel especially daunting - as was the case for Olga 

“I was scared of the Job Centre. I worried people would judge me and assume I was lazy.

Everything’s online now, and I wasn’t used to that. Interviews felt terrifying.”

Through the JobsPlus programme, Olga was paired with employment support advisor Lee.

Their connection, rooted in shared caregiving experiences, became the foundation of a strong and trusting working relationship. 

“From our first conversation, I felt I was in safe hands. Lee was also caring for his elderly mum, so he understood what I’d been through.

He never pressured me, and genuinely wanted to help me find the right role.”

Lee helped Olga recognise the valuable skills she’d developed through her caring responsibilities, from budgeting and organisation to communication and resilience.

Together, they worked on her CV and cover letter, and Lee provided encouragement every step of the way. 

“What helped me most was the chat we had the day before my interview. I was listing all the reasons I thought I’d fail.

But Lee just said, ‘This job is for you. Keep calm, be yourself, and listen to the questions.’ That gave me the confidence I needed.”

The JobsPlus programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and based on a successful US model, combines intensive support with paid six-month job placements.

The Beaumont Estate in Leyton is one of 10 UK sites trialling the initiative. Research shows that participants who remain in work beyond the six-month mark are significantly more likely to stay employed long term.  

Thanks to the programme, Olga is now working in a role that is both close to home and close to the community she cares about.

“It’s more than a job, it’s a purpose. I’m helping build something good for the community where my kids are growing up.

There are free activities every day: basketball, dance, table tennis. It gets them off their screens and off the streets.”

Olga has been spreading the word among her neighbours about the support she received.

“I’ve been telling all my neighbours about JobsPlus. If it changed my life, it could change theirs too.’ 

Olga has lived on the Beaumont Estate since 2010. Far from the stereotypes often associated with social housing, she describes it as a vibrant and supportive place to raise a family.

“When people who don’t live on the estate come to visit, they always comment on how everyone is together.

We lend each other sugar, we look after each other’s kids, we let people in for appointments. It’s a community.”

It takes a village to raise a child, and in Olga’s case, to deliver one too. That sense of community spirit was never more present than on 22 November 2012, when she went into labour on her doorstep.

With no time to get to the hospital, Olga gave birth on the spot, surrounded by neighbours who rushed to help.

“My mum knocked on doors, and people came running with blankets. I couldn’t make it past the main entrance to the block, so my son Kelvin was born right here.

He’s proud that  it says our address on his birth certificate.” 

Olga’s story is a reminder that with the right support, it’s never too late to start again.