Kenilworth-based business wins funding for return to work programme

A Kenilworth-based business has won funding for a new return to work programme aimed at getting women into employment after taking a career break.

Having supported many women in their careers, Career-Mums co-founders Sally Dhillon and Nishi Mehta will be offering the programme free to participants thanks to being awarded an ESF Community Grant.

The Work Restart Programme, starting in September, is aimed at supporting women who have been out of work for at least six months to be ready for a return to work – whether through part-time or full-time employment, starting up a business or retraining.

“We know from our own personal experiences how confidence ebbs away and uncertainties creep in when you try to find a job after taking time out for whatever reason,” said Sally.

“Our programme helps people to think about what they ideally want to do and get support to make it happen – including figuring out how to make a job work around specific family commitments, build confidence and the low-down of how to find what they’re looking for.”

Due to coronavirus, the programme has been adapted and will be delivered remotely, accessible on most devices.

Nishi adds: “Whilst we’ll be running the programme online there will be lots of support and resources for each participant as well as live sessions each week for six weeks.”

Career-Mums have current funding for 16 Coventry and Warwickshire residents to participate in the programme starting in September, once schools have returned after the summer break.

ESF Community Grants provide grants to small organisations in the voluntary and community sector to provide support to unemployed and inactive individuals to engage them and move them towards employment through packages of training and support.

The project is funded by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency and grants are administered by community charity, Groundwork UK..

It is supported by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

To find out more about participating in the programme contact the Career-Mums team by emailing: [email protected]