When Aysha Elmehdwi started Flexible New Deal with inspire 2 independence in Manchester, she was despondent and didn't believe they could do anything to help her. i2i Job coach Simon Cooper realised she needed more support and asked i2i caseworker Donna Fannon to help boost her confidence. Aysha took part in interview training and Donna also organised a discretionary spend for smart clothes, as she didn't have anything suitable to wear for interviews.

When Aysha was feeling more positive, Donna set up a meeting with Mint Recruitment. Aysha signed up with them and excelled as a waitress, working at many local functions. To top up her hours, Donna helped her to find work as a receptionist at a Travel Lodge hotel. Aysha is currently working at the food court in Manchester Arndale.

The change in Aysha has been so dramatic that her mother called in at the i2i office to thank Donna and Simon in person. Before attending FND, Aysha smoked all night and slept all day. When her mother tried to wake her she was met with abuse, causing her great stress. Since finding work, however, Aysha has stopped smoking and has gone from strength to strength, and her mother has come off anti-depressants. She said, "Aysha has turned her life around for the better and in doing so, turned mine around too. I have a wonderful daughter."

For Donna, seeing Aysha undergo such a transformation has made all the hard work worthwhile. "Aysha is truly a lovely person but just needed belief in herself. Simon and I worked very hard to inspire her and give her the belief she needed to progress in life - and she has done."