When Claire Henderson moved to Redcar and Cleveland with her three sons, her focus was firmly on family life. Like many mums, she had spent years putting her children first while her own goals took a back seat. But once her children were settled in school and nursery, Claire made a life-changing decision — it was time to do something for herself.
Claire had always been passionate about working with children, particularly those with special educational needs. However, after years working in hospitality and catering, she wasn’t sure how to take the first step into a new career that would fit around family life.
Everything changed when a friend shared a post on Facebook about courses at Tees Valley Women’s Centre. Curious and motivated, Claire visited the centre the very next day to find out more — and quickly enrolled onto a Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning course delivered in partnership with Prior Pursglove College (Atomix Educational Trust).
Starting something new while raising young children wasn’t without its challenges. With nursery hours to work around, childcare was a key barrier. Thanks to the centre’s flexible learning approach and support with childcare costs, Claire was able to continue her studies and stay fully committed to her learning journey.
Studying in a supportive, welcoming environment helped Claire grow in confidence and develop new skills, including improving her IT knowledge and gaining valuable hands-on experience through a school placement. With guidance from tutors and staff, she not only completed her course but also discovered new opportunities to progress even further.
“Finding out about the centre has opened new and exciting doors for me. The support and help from staff and tutors has been amazing,” Claire said.
Now continuing onto further qualifications, including additional learning to support her career in education, Claire feels excited and optimistic about the future. Her goal is to work in an educational setting supporting pupils, especially those with additional needs — a passion she has held for many years.
Claire’s journey is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to learn, retrain, or follow a new path. With the right support, encouragement, and flexible opportunities, women can overcome barriers, rebuild confidence, and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.
At Tees Valley Women’s Centre, we are proud to support women like Claire every day — providing a safe, supportive space where confidence grows, skills develop, and new possibilities begin.
