British Broadcasting Corporation

BBC Local
Hampshire
Things to do
People & Places
Nature & Outdoors
History
Religion & Ethics
Arts & Culture
BBC Introducing
TV & Radio

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites
Page last updated at 08:38 GMT, Monday, 28 September 2009 09:38 UK

Young mum's struggle to find work

Nineteen-year-old Michaela Cavuoto from Southampton is determined to break away from a life living on state benefits and get into work so she can make a better life for her and her son, Orion.

Michaela is training to be a legal secretary to help her career prospects: "I don't want to be one of those mums that never work and whose children do not have a future - I really want my son to have the best."

But she, and many others, has discovered that government schemes designed to help her get qualifications have a significant flaw in their rules.

If Michaela does not finish her diploma by the time she reaches 20-years-old, her funding will end.

"When they take that funding away from me, I know that next year I will struggle financially to keep going."

Story Tools

Editor's Choice

Sally Taylor Sally Taylor Up Close & Personal

Amelia Earhart Mary S Lovell on Amelia Earhart

Camp Bastion in Helmand Province Medics take charge of Afghan unit

The Great South Run The Great South Run 2009

Yellow car rally Jon Cuthill's Yellow Car Rally
Skip to top

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Explore the BBC

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific