The Women’s Work Lab has been described as ‘life-changing’ by mums who have gone through its programme and has even been recognised by the former Prime Minister. It is now open again for new applications in Bath, along with new applications for programmes in Bristol and Taunton. These next programmes will start in April.
The organisation trains and re-skills unemployed mums who are struggling to find a paid job. It gives them the tools, confidence and experience to find a career which works for them. The programme combines:
- Part-time bespoke classroom training.
- A work placement.
- 1-1 career coaching and mentoring.
Training focuses on building confidence, looking in-depth at a mum’s individual strengths and working out what they would like their future to look like – and crucially – how to get there. It is specific and detailed and includes support with CV writing, job searching and interview preparation, for example.
In 2024, Co-Founders Camilla and Rachel were awarded the Points of Light Award by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This recognises people making a positive change within their community and inspiring others and was in recognition of them setting up the Women’s Work Lab. The Co-Founders also won the Cambridge Social Innovation prize in 2024.
Established in 2019, the Women’s Work Lab has now helped over 400 women.
Case study
Jess completed the Bath programme and landed a job working in the Contact Centre for Curo Housing Association. She’s now started a new job and works in telecommunications for EE.
Jess says, “The Women’s Work Lab gave me confidence. It also gave me interview skills and techniques for writing CVs. I was very nervous starting it, but I walked away from it feeling so much more confident.”
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