Lesley’s new venture is on the cards
16 Oct 2024
Living in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside had always inspired art and craft lover Lesley. So when osteoporosis in her back put a stop to her long country walks, and her full time job, it was a hand-crafted card depicting her favourite view that fatefully opened up a new business venture – as a self employed artist.
Lesley, who is 58 and from Low Hesket near Carlisle, originally studied at art college and would collect shapely pebbles and twigs on her regular walks with lifelong friend Nigel. Taking longer hikes during lockdown inspired an interest in the history of local beauty spots such as Kirkstone Pass and Penrith Beacon, which Lesley would recreate as artwork featuring her salvaged stones and relatives’ donated buttons.
“My back condition worsened, and I was signed off work for 18 months,” explains Lesley, who worked in packing. “I would sit and look out at the hills, knowing I wouldn’t walk them again. It was torture, but making pictures and cards for family and friends of my favourite scenes really helped.”
When Lesley finally left her employment in the summer of 2023 she was at a loss as to what jobs she could do. A referral from Carlisle Jobcentre Plus to Ingeus, which runs the Work and Health Programme in the region, gave Lesley a new view. The programme helps unemployed people with disabilities and health conditions overcome any challenges they might be facing in finding a job that’s right for them, including self-employment.
Working with employment and health advisors gave Lesley fresh confidence and a new CV, while she became a firm favourite at the employability group weekly coffee mornings, encouraging and motivating other Ingeus jobseekers. It was when she made a card for her advisor Sophie that a new scene was set:
“People had always said I should sell my cards,” continues Lesley. “I always just did them for fun but when Sophie suggested self-employment it started to sound ideal for me. I began working with John, a self-employment specialist, who helped me with my business setup, costings and marketing.”
Lesley’s business –
OnceScene – was born, and her cards and artwork are now flying off the shelves in a local gift shop. She is planning Christmas fairs and, with Nigel’s help, has set up a website. She has also returned to the Ingeus coffee mornings to share her story:
“If I can help someone else, then I always will. I think it’s encouraging to know that something good can come out of something bad,” she concludes.
“Ingeus’ help couldn’t have been better. They did everything. I now have a flexible job that I can do at my own pace. I may have been too scared to try something new before but thanks to the Work and Health Programme, I’ve finally gone full circle, back to my early art school dreams.”
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