ONE-TIME county rugby star
But thanks to the support of national employment charity Shaw Trust she has turned her back on two long years of job-searching and now has a full time job as a Personal Development Adviser at the Trust's
"I still have to pinch myself, I never thought this day would come," said Debra, 42, a former Lancashire Ladies rugby player and coach, whose life fell apart after an sporting injury which led to DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and heart problems.
"After two years of illness which left me with lung damage I'd virtually given up hope of ever working again. I felt unemployable. After leading such a full and active life before that, including 13 years working for an engineering firm, it came as a real shock that employers could just pass me over ignoring all the experience I'd had. All they could see was the two year gap in my CV," she revealed.
"Without Shaw Trust I'd still be stuck on benefits and yes it is a big step to cut free of them, but its a scary leap which I will never regret making," she said.
Debra started working for the Trust on a six month paid training programme as a Support Administrator then applied for the job of Personal Development Adviser when it became vacant.
"I'm so grateful that someone has given me the chance. I still suffer from shortness of breath but working four days a week is perfect for me.
"I love my job with the Trust and I can really empathise with clients who are in similar situations to the one I was in. It's great being able to offer that support and advice to others," she said.
Shaw Trust, the
