A TORFAEN woman who was living on the streets earlier this year has spoken of how she has turned her life around thanks to a hairdressing course.

Over the last six weeks, with help from friends, Rebecca Ford has gone from being homeless to retraining as a hairdresser and finding somewhere to live.

The 26-year-old became homeless in June and at the same time she was released from a sales advisor job at the end of her probation period, leaving her without an income or a roof over her head.

Miss Ford, from Sebastopol near Pontypool, said: “I remember the date in June, it doesn’t bare thinking about. I was homeless and spent some nights living out of bin bags on the streets or staying on my friends’ sofas.

“I had domestic and job issues right at the same time meaning it’s been a really hard few months."

Miss Ford then heard about the Bron Afon Community Housing’s Hair and Beauty employability course from a friend she was staying with.

“I spent a couple of nights at my friend Leah’s and she said about the course. So I spoke to Ria, and they have been really helpful giving me the confidence to learn new cutting skills and getting back into work.

"The last six weeks have been amazing, I have gone from having everything to nothing and now I feel like I’m getting everything back.

The course itself is part of Bron Afon’s That Works Training Academy where people can gain accredited qualifications and develop CVs as well as polishing up interview and life skills.

Bron Afon’s Families at Work employability officer Ria Gibbs, 32, said: “We are so proud of Rebecca that she started our course while being homeless but was able to keep it up and pass. She was been so grateful with whatever help we have provided and will do anything to get her life back on track.

“Our That Works Training Academy has an incredible record of getting unemployed people back into work, helping 155 people over the past year aged 16 to 56.”