A NEWPORT mum of two says a city employment agency has helped her return to work after 22 years of claiming benefits.

Anissa Mills, 39, from Maesglas suffers from a rare blood condition which has hospitalised her several times and left her eligible to claim incapacity benefit.

"For the last 10 years I have been feeling so low about my life and where I would end up, I’ve also been on anti-depressants," she said.

Miss Mills said she always wanted to care for animals or people but lacked the confidence to apply for jobs because of her health.

A protein deficiency in her blood means blood clots form in her legs and if they move to her lungs, which they have done in the past, can stop her breathing.

Although her health hasn't improved she now has the confidence to manage her condition and look for work as well as care for her children Jade, 19 and Declan, 12.

In the past year Miss Mills has become a qualified carer, volunteer for the RSPCA and works as a domestic help.

The change came last January when Miss Mills got involved with employment provider A4e Wales who provided her with an employment coach to help her with application forms and interview techniques.

A4e deliver a government-funded programme 'Pathways to Work' intended to get people off benefits and back to work.

She told those at A4e of her desire to work as a carer: "I didn’t think I had any experience but then they made me realise I had life experience as a carer for my son, who is disabled. I felt that there was hope for my son and I to have a better future.

"My 12 year old son Declan has ADHD and suffers with a bad heart. He is a very demanding child and needs a lot of attention, but he’s a lovely boy so loving, gentle and kind.

"I'm doing something I haven't done in 22 years and it feels great. I feel like a different person. I can't imagine going back to how things were," she said.

Miss Mills is applying for various caring jobs but says there is currently little around.

And now she is earning around £85 more a week than when she was on benefit, she has no intention of going back to how things were.