This International Women’s Day we are delighted to share a case study written by one of the amazing Somerset mums who completed a Women’s Work Lab programme in December. Kate has called her story ‘A Hope Filled Day’.

“I have been a stay-at-home mum for 10 years. I wanted to return to work for a while but felt I no longer had the skills needed to get a job, and my confidence was very low. I had lost my sense of who I was, and what I was capable of. After Covid and the lockdown, my mental health took a hit and my confidence sunk even lower.

I saw an advert for the Women’s Work Lab in a school newsletter and thought what could it hurt to apply? I didn’t think for a second my application would be accepted. I was overjoyed when Fern contacted me and after talking, I was offered a place on the course.

I didn’t know what to expect and was nervous on my first day of the course, but Fern and Sally were so lovely, and the mums on the course were wonderful. We bonded as a group and I found we all had similarities and could understand each other’s difficulties and worries. We helped boost each other up and cheered each other on.

By the time my work experience came around I was feeling a lot more confident and sure of myself and had more of an understanding of where I wanted to be. I was very lucky with my placement; I was placed at my local community centre close to home. They were friendly and welcoming and I gained more confidence while doing my work experience.

I was offered a part-time position with the community centre, which I took, and I continued with the Women’s Work Lab, consolidating what I had learnt during my work experience. I then applied for an apprentice position at the community centre and was offered the position, to start in the New Year. It was a perfect ending to my time with the Women’s Work lab. I truly believe without the help and support of the mums and WWL I wouldn’t be where I am now, enjoying a job, and feeling confident and secure in myself.

The next Women’s Work Lab programme in Somerset starts on Tuesday 23 April in Taunton. The programme is open to mums aged 19+ (there is no upper age limit) who are not working and are in receipt of benefits.

Find out more at www.womensworklab.co.uk or by contacting Sophia at sophia@womensworklab.co.uk