Charity launches programme to get unemployed women back into work
A charity that works to get unemployed young women back into employment through education and training, has launched in Liverpool.
WeMindTheGap offers unemployed women a six month paid traineeship, many who have been referred by local agencies such as Leaving Care, Youth Justice, homeless centres, Women’s Aid, housing associations, local charities, as well as the Job Centre.
First piloted in North Wales, the scheme has proven to create social mobility in young women who otherwise had become completely reliant on the state for their survival.
WeMindTheGap was created and piloted by Moneypenny, which is ranked in the top five best companies to work for in the UK.
Rachel Clacher, co-founder of Moneypenny and chief executive of WeMindTheGap, said: “Such has been the success of the first three programs, a charity has been established to deliver similar traineeships in new communities.
“70% of participants move from being reliant on the state with few choices to leading totally independent lives with many choices.”
The organisation says there is a net economic gain of £44,000 a year from each person who successfully makes the move off state support.
WeMindTheGap Liverpool officially launched with a £10,000 donation from the Lord Mayor’s office, along with other donations.
Deputy mayor, Ann O’Byrne, added: “We are happy to support WeMindTheGap, so we can help create lasting change for women who are finding it hard to secure work. We want to do everything we can to empower women and give them the skills, abilities and confidence to make a positive change to their lives and to the community in which they live.”
Eight women have been accepted onto a six-month paid traineeship, providing them with the core skills from work experience, one to one coaching and skills development. Each young woman benefits from being mentored by women who can relate to where they come from through lived experience.
