Single mum's plea for someone to help her get back to work

Jackie Mitchell, 39, would like to train as a barber but for the past two years the course has been called off at the South Eastern Regional College's Lisburn campus.

The mum of three says that she has an interest in hairdressing and becoming a barber would suit her family life.

Jackie explained: "As a single mum we are told that when our children reach a certain age we will be forced out to work. Well for the last two years I have been waiting on a course at Lisburn College and each year it is cancelled, whether due to not enough people or the fact they cannot get a tutor.

"This was a part-time course on one evening per week. As a single mother I went to a lot of bother getting someone to commit to babysitting my children while I could attend this course. So I am once again disappointed when it was cancelled."

Jackie says that she could try to go to another town but that means extra babysitting hours. "Why can this town not get to grips like other towns or cities, as in fact it is a city? Or why can we not get courses during the day for the single mothers who would like to get qualified?

It is very disheartening, so please if there are any tutors or in fact anyone else out there who would please train me in the art of barbering at a time when it suits while the children are at school please be in contact with the Star."

A spokesperson for the college explained that the NVQ Barbering course at the College was due to start in January, however due to low enrolments and the difficulty in recruiting a qualified barbering lecturer, they decided to postpone it until late February to allow additional time to recruit both students and a suitable lecturer.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused, we are working to resolve the situation," they said.

"South Eastern Regional College is committed to helping single parents get back into education. We have a variety of financial support packages available including Care to Learn which helps with childcare costs and also College Support Funds that can help with course fees and other associated costs."

* If you can help Jackie please contact Jenny Monroe on 92-679111 or email [email protected]