Programme helps those who knead

Three quarters of Rochdale residents on a new scheme for disadvantaged people in our borough have moved onto work or education – including a warehouse worker turned Thai massage business owner!

Run by social enterprise Upturn, Better Life Chances imbues confidence and improves the skills of the long-term unemployed, young people, and new arrivals to the country.

And when it came to Pimjai Iliff, finding training that pepped-up her entrepreneurial spirit and love of healing, oiled the wheels of success that have led her to opening a business on Oldham Road.

Arriving in Britain from Bangkok Thailand in 2019, Pimjai initially worked in warehouses but longed for something more sustainable. “The key here was to find something that she loved, and an opening came up on a massage course which she grabbed” said Janet Whitehead, Head of Employability and Training at Upturn. “She then worked tirelessly to identify a premises - and now has a thriving business.”

The secret of the Better Life Chances programme’s triumph is that it is able to get up close and personal. “There are barriers in the way of some people’s progress, from chaotic family lives to learning difficulties and lack of confidence” said Upturn HR Director, Maria Williams, “mentoring and fostering growth really does make a difference, as does having the contacts and funding – which comes from national adult learning organisation WEA. Begun in May this year, it has already proved genuinely life-changing!”   

Better Life Chances organises training in

•         ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

•         Gaining a Care Certificate

•         The security industry

•         Becoming a Teaching Assistant

•         Massage

•         Electrical Installation

•         Gaining the right GCSEs

Pimjai and her emerging team offer hot stone, full-body and foot massage and body scrub services. They plan to offer cupping too soon – which is popular with the Kardashians!

“Unlike traditional massage, Thai massage uses therapeutic touch, and your body is relaxed whilst being manipulated” revealed Pimjai. “It is a fascinating practice and is very popular with people today who lead stressful lives that can affect their mind and body.”

She continued: “I would never have been able to open my salon without this programme. It gave me the skills and confidence to be my own boss, and I thank Upturn, the funders, and the people of Rochdale, for helping me to realise my dream.”

Pictured left to right are Tikky Kershasw and Pimjai Iliff.