A self-taught makeup artist from South Shields has secured a once-in-a-lifetime position working on the hit horror television series The Walking Dead, following support from a National Lottery funded employment project.
Laura Cobley, 27, has been supported by Wise Steps, a programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund to reduce poverty and social exclusion by driving local jobs and growth, for the past four months.
Wise Steps Coach Gillian said: “We are so proud of the progress Laura has made. We worked closely over the past few weeks to prepare her for her audition which was held in London. Wise Steps funded her travel, paid for a few of the additional make-up tools and something smart to wear for the interview.
“The project provides one to one specialist support to those on the pathway to work. It is a really holistic programme, working with participants to provide help with whatever they need, from confidence-building to housing, learning support to feeling less isolated.”
Laura, who starts work for Fox TV next week, said: “I never imagined that I would get this far. It was an amazing experience to go down to London and be there in the studio showing them my portfolio.
“A massive thanks to Wise Steps for helping to make it possible, I couldn’t have done it without them. Working with my Wise Steps coach has made me realise that there is help and support available, which has helped me to progress and achieve my goals”.
Wise Steps is a partnership of local organisations led by the Wise Group, which aims to improve wellbeing and life chances. For more information about Wise Steps, visit www.wisesteps.org.uk.
