Making Work Work – for Edinburgh Women
Since 2021, the Making Work Work team at The Challenges Group have helped over 360 women across Scotland to make work work following a career beak. Making Work Work – for Edinburgh Women has built since 2023 brought this innovative programme to women living in the City of Edinburgh Council area. Fully funded and free of charge for eligible women, and open to women on a career break or who have taken a career break in the past, we help women re-enter the workplace or progress on from work where they were not working at the level, salary or hours at which they are capable.
Women can face challenges in finding work commensurate with their skills, ambition and availability after a career break (for example for childcare, elderly care, health or other reasons). Our programmes help women refresh skills and build confidence and networks for success.
By helping women to transition into work aligned with their values, skills and ambitions, we can raise family incomes, improve workplace diversity and help women live fulfilling lives.
Women on the programme took part in a peer-led skills refresher programme which facilitates the confidence and networks essential to finding work that works for them. With the help of our expert trainers, all women returners themselves, participants got to know other women in their situation, who provided mutual support and learning, helping each other along a transformative journey.
The programme worked with women in Edinburgh looking to step back into the workplace or progress in work and who face difficulties in finding work that fits with all the commitments and enjoyment of life following a career break (e.g. for childcare, other caring, health issues / disability, redundancy, relocation or other reasons).
Making Work Work – for Edinburgh Women was offered in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council and Capital City Partnership and is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.