TWO Pontypool single mothers have decided to go into business together to be good role models to their children.

Cousins, Elicia Thomas, 27, and Katie Hunt, 27, are gearing up to open their own business in September after completing a beauty course at Cwmbran Community Centre.

This is a big step for the pair who both found themselves single and unemployed.

Mother of one, Miss Hunt, who previously worked as a barmaid, was made redundant in September last year.

While Miss Thomas, a mother of one, has been out of work for five years.

They were introduced to Bron Afon employability team by their local Job Centre Plus and swiftly joined the Beauty That Works bite-size employability project.

During their time on the course, they had assistance from Bron Afon Digital Inclusion team, to complete CV’s, carry out educational research and discover funding possibilities.

Miss Hunt said: “We both wanted to run our own businesses as it’s easier as a single parent to fit it around your child, but we never knew what we wanted to do.

“We loved the course, and we realised it was what we wanted to do. We are doing it for our children, as well as for ourselves, to become good role models for them.”

They have now secured premises to rent for their own beauticians business in Trevethin and hope to open in September after completing further courses in how to manage a business.

Through digital inclusion support, they have started to learn how to use Microsoft Office packages, price compare for marketing materials, research design ideas and gain funding advice.

Miss Hunt added: “The project has allowed us to start a new chapter in our lives and we are very excited for the future.”