A LONG-term unemployed mother has returned to work, with the help of a community foundation.

Elaine Winter, from Coxhoe, County Durham, had been out of work for some years after becoming a mother.

She had lost confidence and was uncertain of her abilities.

The Groundwork charity, which helps people develop skills, secured Ms Winter a six-week placement at the County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF).

She continued to volunteer for CDCF after the placement ended and has since found paid work as a customer services advisor at energy firm Npower.

Ms Winter said: “I can’t praise both Groundwork and the Community Foundation enough. They treated me like an employee and made me feel no different from anybody else. The staff were brilliant.”

Barbara Gubbins, chief executive of CDCF, said: “Unemployment can sap your morale and of course coping with rejection at interviews is a difficult process.

“It can feel like you are losing control because your days lack structure. We are happy to give people the work experience they need to propel them into a working future.”