A COURSE taking life coaching from the classes to the masses to help Doncaster residents get their lives back on track has celebrated the 'graduation' of its first clients.
The 'Summat's Changing' programme brought life and motivational coaching to people living in the borough least likely to be able to afford it, with the aim of helping them back into work and contributing to the regeneration of the town.
A group of 42 people from the New Deal For Communities areas of Balby, Hexthorpe, Intake, Netherhall, Woodfield and Hyde Park, as well as Thorne and Moorends, have now completed the pilot series of seven week courses with an incredible success rate.
Bessacarr coach Karen Foy has helped people turn their lives around by tackling issues including low self-esteem and lack motivation, and offering support and practical advice in areas such as building resilience, perseverance and goal setting.
Kelly Broxholme from Balby, a recovering alcoholic, had been unemployed for nine years - but since completing the courses has started work for Doncaster Council as school kitchen assistant.
The 27-year-old said it had completely changed her life: "I had no confidence. I was really down, suffering with depression and anxiety. But now I'm focused on myself, forgetting about the past and focusing on the future."
Sam Cooke, 33, also recovering after a seven-year problem with alcohol and has been dry for the past six months, said the course had helped her work out where she wanted to go in life after coming out of the other side.
Sam, from Intake, said: "After detox I just wanted to find ways to change my life and move forward - I was left not knowing who I was or what I wanted."
She said the course had helped build her self-confidence and assertiveness and she was now in the process of applying for a position of support worker at Doncaster Women's Centre.
READ MOREMore Doncaster newsMain news indexThe full article contains 337 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
