“Explore makes you feel that people care and you are not alone in the world!” – Victoria
Before joining Explore, Victoria felt isolated and lonely. As a single parent new to the area, navigating life’s challenges felt overwhelming, especially amidst the isolation enforced by the pandemic.
Explore offered Victoria more than just an opportunity to develop her skills, it became a place of hope, a lifeline to rebuilding her confidence and reducing her social isolation.
One of her greatest challenges was returning to work, however with the support of Explore and the Reed in Partnership Work Routes programme, Victoria is taking steps towards re-entering the workforce.
In addition to signing up to Reed in Partnership, Victoria checked out the volunteering opportunities at Kew Gardens in the community allotments and has signed up to join Explore to More, a fortnightly meeting with other Explore graduates.
For Victoria, Explore has shown her she is not alone on her journey — it has given her the courage to believe in herself again and the strength and determination to pursue her dreams.
