About the Programme
Uniting Communities Org CIC runs the South Asian Women’s Project, designed to engage South Asian women in tailored programmes such as employability and skills development. The programme offers a bespoke approach, recognising cultural sensitivities and creating a safe space for participants to build confidence, explore opportunities, and access support.
The project supports women who are long-term NEET (not in education, employment, or training) and younger NEETs who have not pursued further education or work due to cultural barriers. It also engages with parents to raise awareness about the impact of isolation and inactivity on mental health. Support includes CV development, interview preparation, and confidence-building activities.
Anita’s Story
Anita is a 45-year-old woman who had not been in employment for over two decades. After briefly working in her early twenties, she dedicated her life to raising her children. With her youngest child now 14 and her eldest 25, she experienced loneliness and a loss of purpose. The recent cessation of her Universal Credit benefits added pressure to re-enter the workforce, which felt overwhelming given her lack of recent experience.
Although she holds a degree in Working with Children and Young People, she had never pursued a career in the field and faced low confidence and anxiety about re-entering employment.
Over several weeks, the project team worked with Anita to explore her interests, build confidence, and identify manageable steps toward work.
She enrolled in a 6-week Teaching Assistant refresher course, which she attended weekly. This helped her update knowledge, particularly around safeguarding, and gave her a sense of progress. She subsequently registered with an agency and applied for a DBS check.
The project also supported Anita by updating her CV to reflect her recent training and transferable skills, preparing her for interviews with agency recruiters, building her confidence through mock interviews and one-to-one discussions, and providing tailored advice and reassurance from a staff member with personal agency experience.
Programme Impact
Although she has not yet undertaken agency assignments, Anita is now registered and ready to accept flexible, part-time work. She has transitioned from feelings of isolation and uncertainty to actively engaging with training and employment opportunities. Her confidence has grown through the support and guidance she has received, helping her take positive steps toward work at her own pace. Anita’s journey demonstrates renewed purpose, increasing self-belief, and the potential for long-term success in the workforce.
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