Tracey became the sole breadwinner for her family after her husband Graham lost his job. She had to take on more hours in her part-time job, including working weekends and late nights, to replace Graham's lost income. Graham then went to university while caring for their two children. Tracey was promoted and found satisfaction in providing for her family on her own income.

1. real life
‘I became the breadwinner’
Tracey Anne Quirk, 35, is married to Graham,
36. Two years ago, Graham was made redundant,
forcing Tracey to take on full-time work. They
have two children, George, 14, and Samuel, 12,
and live in Walsall, West Midlands.
‘Ever since I’d had my kids, in travel sales also made me
I’d been their primary carer. worry for my own earnings.
I had a part-time job in a Luckily I was given the
travel call centre, but I was chance to move to a high-
there when they came home street branch where my
from school, which was hours were more regular.
really important to me. ‘Graham became the one
‘A few months before who looked after the boys
the factory where Graham the most. After the shock of
worked closed, he’d been the redundancy notice had
put on short time – working subsided, he decided to go
The
three or four days a week. to university. He’s now in
We thought this was to his final year, and works
prevent redundancies, so 15 hours a week as a coach
redundancy
when he got told he was at a local academy.
losing his job it was a shock. ‘Working full-time has
‘I increased my hours to made me more ambitious
make up a little of the lost and I was promoted
survivors
income but it didn’t match recently. Learning to budget
his salary. I had to ask my for weekly expenses has
employers for a full-time been rewarding, too.
permanent contract, which There’s a huge sense of
meant working shifts until achievement when you
10pm some nights. make one chicken last for
Losing your job can be a huge blow – ‘It was very difficult. I felt three family meals. In fact,
as though I wasn’t being the I often cook in the morning
emotionally as well as financially. But it can mum I wanted to be. I was before work, just simple
also be an opportunity for a change as these missing cooking dinner, meals like a cottage pie or
days out with the boys, casserole, that Graham can
three women found out simple things like watching heat up that evening.
TV in the evenings together ‘Time to myself is very
Photographs Angela Spain and I also had to work precious now. But I’ve come
Styling Rob Merrett weekends. The job that I’d to realise that I have to do
previously enjoyed to help what is best for everyone
us pay for holidays, days and the outcome will
out and treats had become a hopefully result in an even
necessity and the downturn
➻
better life for all of us.’
Tracey’s bounce-back tip
Keep your sense of humour, don’t despair.
This could be a whole new opportunity.
Also, don’t be afraid to find out what help
you may be entitled to. Visit hmrc.gov.uk to
find out about the support available.
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2. real life
‘I changed career’
Single mum of three Sharon Cooper-Collins lost her job in
2006. Sharon, 42, from Hertfordshire, lives with her children
Jade and Tarryne, both 23, and Conner, 19.
‘Apart from a short time when school books. It was at the lowest
I was having the girls, I’d grade I could afford to take but it
worked full-time ever since sounded ideal – it was local and
leaving school. So losing my job interesting. I applied, got the job
as an operations assistant with and was quickly promoted to
the rail industry was a huge Grants Officer,
blow to my confidence. There a job I absolutely love.
was no warning, so it was ‘Being made redundant was
difficult financially and, as a tough but it made me realise that
single parent of three children, no industry is secure any more,
it was also extremely stressful. so it’s important to keep your
Money was very tight. skills up to date. And actually,
‘It got to the stage where some things have worked out for the
mornings I didn’t even want to best. My new role is exactly what
get dressed, I was so depressed. I needed – it’s rewarding,
Then one day I realised that I challenging, and it’s a pleasure
just couldn’t carry on like this – to go to work in the morning.’
my redundancy money was all
gone, I needed to support my
family and I didn’t want my kids
to have a mum who didn’t work.
Plus I had lots of experience and
skills so I knew there had to be a
job out there for me somewhere.
“Right, today you’re going to
look for a new job,” I told myself.
I went online and searched on
all the job sites (such as fish4jobs.
co.uk or workhound.co.uk).
Eventually I found a role as a
PA for a small charity that helps
support Scottish service families
with their kids’ education,
including helping to provide
Sharon’s bounce-back tip
It’s important to focus on the positive
and try not to get too disheartened. Keep
going and eventually you’ll find the right
role. For advice on applying for jobs,
visit jobseekersdirect.gov.uk
➻
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3. real life
Sarah’s bounce-back tip
If you feel you’ve been stuck in a rut,
redundancy could be the push you need
to change your life. It may be a chance to
retrain or to start your own business. Visit
businesslink.gov.uk to find out about grants
and support in your area. For a range of
training courses go to learndirect.co.uk.
‘I started my
own company’
Sarah Pittendrigh, 40, lives working. So I decided I could use I’ve retained County Durham as
with her partner Stewart, also this opportunity to shape a career my area. My former husband and
40, and son William, 12, in for myself that would fit around my I are now back together and will
Northumberland. She lost her family. I had nothing to lose. be remarrying in March. I believe
job at the height of the recession. ‘Ever since I’d helped my brother we’ve been given this second chance
‘In 2008, I was sales and marketing and his wife plan their wedding I’d as a direct result of the company.
director for an events company that noticed a gap in the market for ‘I now work from home, which
supplied corporate activities such chair covers and table linen with a gives me more time with my son
WORDS LIZ JARVIS HaiR & make-uP CLAIRe RAy; JAmeS mCmAhon
as team-building days. When creative edge, so I came up with the and husband, and franchising the
the recession hit, the first things idea for simplybowsandchaircovers. company has meant opportunities
companies cut were hospitality and co.uk. I’d heard that Business Link for people in a similar situation.
events, so the business went under. would support new businesses, so I was lucky to tap into this market at
‘At the time I was a divorcée with I contacted an advisor and arranged just the right time. My redundancy
no salary, so claimed income support a meeting. I prepared a business was the best opportunity I could
immediately. But this barely covered plan with all my projected forecasts have been given.’
the mortgage and I was terrified and they in turn agreed to support
we’d lose our home. Signing on at me with 50 per cent funding
the job centre was awful. I’d always towards my website, company Get advice
worked to support myself, and my vehicle and marketing materials. For practical tips and
confidence was at an all-time low. Within the first year I achieved 20 ideas on getting back
But having the time at home made per cent over forecast, and three into the work place, go
me realise just how much I had years on, I’ve franchised the to tesco.com/living
missed out on my son’s life while company. We have 10 offices and
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