JOBLESS single mum Jan Bailey is brushing up on her decorating skills in a bid to get back to work.

Jan, who is in her mid-40s, is on the Oxford Women's Training Scheme, which gives her the opportunity of practical work experience along with a team of other women interested in getting back into work.

She is currently helping paint the hall at Marston Middle School, in Marston, Oxford.

Headteacher Karen Magrath said: "Last year they did a lovely job on our corridors and we were delighted with the results. Everyone benefits in this way because we only pay for the materials and it is good work experience for the women."

Jan, of Addison Crescent, Oxford, has two grown-up girls. She said: "I have been a single parent for many years and when my daughters grew up I had lots of time on my hands and nothing to fill it with.

"I had my own shop in Banbury about 15 years ago selling second-hand collectables, but I had to stop that due to illness and family commitments."

But now Jan wants to get back into work. She has always been interested in painting and decorating, so this course was ideal for her. "I thought it was time to start again and hope to eventually set up my own business - I think a lot of people would prefer to have a female decorator in the house, so my plan is to fill that niche. "The scheme is incredibly supportive and the whole atmosphere is very relaxing. I feel it has been very beneficial and it has helped me to get back into a routine and gain confidence."

Kerry Price, 26, from Headington, is a single mum with two young children and, for her, the scheme is a lifesaver.

"This has given me the opportunity to go and do something and the scheme pays for me to have a childminder, which is fantastic.

"I started by doing an introductory course in woodwork and I'm really into DIY and have now decided I want to go into interior design.

"This has really given me the opportunity to learn how to do this properly. I have made loads of friends and we all share something in common, particularly our circumstances."

Alan Maasz, manual trades tutor at the Oxford Women's Training Scheme, which is based at the Northway Centre on the Northway estate in Oxford, said: "It is quite a challenge for them. We have painting and decorating facilities at the centre but this is a bit of a challenge in the real world.

"They still have to work to a high standard even though they aren't getting paid - and something like this gives them the opportunity to paint large areas.

"From my past experiences, the women tend to pull together well as a group and give each other a lot of support. "My own children used to go to this school and we hope we will be able to pass on our knowledge to the rest of the children here.

Unemployed women have to be 25 or over to take part in the scheme which is about to reach its tenth anniversary and is funded by Oxford City Council. European Social Fund and Partners in Regeneration. It has worked so well that even some of the 415 pupils at the school are taking part.

After the corridor was painted last year, 12-year-old Lucy Holton, was in a group of four girls who painted stencils on top of the yellow walls to give the corridor a "seaside" feel.

Then an after-school painting and decorating club was set up for the pupils. Emily Berrington, 12, attends the club and was one of the children responsible for painting the girls' changing rooms.

Mrs Magrath added: "The pupils treat the areas with so much more respect now that they look nice."

For details call 01865 741317.

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