Fama's Story

When Fama Jallow joined Salix Homes last September on a six-month work placement, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

The mum-of-three had previously been living in Belgium with her husband and young children, relocating to Salford in 2024.

After spending 10 years out of work to raise her family, she was ready to take her first steps back into employment, but didn’t know where to begin.

Fama, aged 33, had recently completed a three-year law degree with the Open University, but the idea of returning to a workplace still felt daunting.

“I took a break from work to focus on my family,” she said. “When my youngest daughter turned three, I knew I wanted to get back into work. I was doing a law degree, but I was really nervous after being out of employment for so long.”

It was a friend who first told her about the Salford Futures programme – a work experience scheme run by Salford City Council to help people living in Salford gain the confidence and skills to move back into employment.

At the time, it felt like exactly what she needed.

“What really appealed to me was the chance to get hands-on experience in a real office environment,” she said. “My degree was completed remotely, so I wanted to understand the day-to-day office environment and improve my communication skills.”

When Fama started her placement in Salix Homes’ People Services Team, everything was new – from systems and processes to the pace of office life.

“It was scary at the beginning,” she said. “I wasn’t confident speaking up and I’d often hold back or write things down instead of asking questions. But Neil and the rest of the team have been brilliant in guiding and supporting me – and that has made a big difference, and my confidence has grown.” 

Fama quickly made a great impact within the team – co-ordinating training sessions, supporting a range of admin tasks, and she also helped develop a customer vulnerability e-learning programme.

By the end of her six-month placement, Fama had not only gained new skills, confidence and experience, but also something she hadn’t expected when she first started – a permanent job with Salix Homes.

When a role came up in our Community Safety Team, she was excited to apply, knowing it aligned more closely with her law degree background.

She added: “I was so happy when an opportunity came up in the Community Safety Team. It felt like everything I’d been working towards. I came into Salford Futures wanting to learn new skills and gain experience, and even without a job at the end I would have still got so much out of it, but getting the job was the icing on the cake.”

Now working as a Community Safety Admin Officer, Fama is really enjoying her new role and team.

She also recently received some well-deserved recognition at the Salford Futures awards ceremony, where she scooped the Rising Star Award – awarded to participants who have shown enthusiasm, growth and commitment throughout their placement.

She said: “It was such a proud and unexpected moment to win the award. When I think back to where I started, I never imagined this would happen in such a short space of time.”

For Fama, the support she has received along the way has made all the difference.

“I love working at Salix Homes,” she added. “Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive. The flexibility and family friendly policies here are really important to me as a mum, and it really helps to be part of a workplace that understands family life.”

Her three daughters have also taken a keen interest in her new working life.

“When I started my first day at Salix, my youngest daughter was also starting her first day at school, and they always ask me how work is,” she said.

“It’s good for them to see this side of me – not just as mum, but as someone who works and has her own career too.”

Neil Stephenson, People Services Talent Manager at Salix Homes, said Fama has made a real impact during her time here.

He added: “We were really impressed with Fama from the very beginning. She’s shown such enthusiasm and a real willingness to learn, and it’s been really valuable having her in the team.

“We’re so pleased to see her secure a permanent role with us, and also receive recognition through the Rising Star award. It’s thoroughly well deserved and it’s been great to see how much she’s progressed in such a short space of time

“This is exactly what programmes like Salford Futures are all about. At Salix Homes, we’re committed to more than just providing homes – we want to create opportunities, support people to develop, and help them move forward in their lives and careers. Fama’s journey is a great example of that in action.”

Fama has also taken part in a video about the Salford Future Programme which you can watch below: