Case study: Nena Gibson

This time last year Nena Gibson was unemployed and claiming benefit when she heard about Street League's Goals Project from an outreach worker at Peckham Job Centre. "I'd left college and hadn't been able to find a job", says Nena. "I heard about Goals and thought I'd give it a go. I never thought I'd stick to it though."

Goals is a five-week personal development course delivered around the theme of football in partnership with QPR and Millwall football clubs. The aim is to help people who are unemployed to refocus their goals and tp develop skills that can be applied in any working environment. This includes building self-esteem and skills such as communication and leadership, gaining experience of working with others, and developing individual plans towards entering education and gaining employment.

"It was daunting on the first day", says Nena. "I met a lot of people, different types of people that I wouldn't normally mix with but we all got on and supported each other. I enjoyed every minute of it, the classes, the football training and especially the city orienteering - we had to travel across London to all these famous places like Wembley and the Bank of England, places I'd never seen before. It was a real eye-opener!

"Staying the distance was the biggest achievement for me. Knowing that I could do it was a massive confidence boost, and directly out of Goals I've now got a full-time job as an Administrator with Millwall Community Scheme. I love it. I work mainly on reception but also get involved with coaching and first aid. It's changed my life so much for the better."