Milton Keynes-based organisation Woman And Work use their Reaching Older Workers (ROW) programme to help women over 50 to retrain, refresh skills, and return to work. Eve was one of these women, and you can read her story below in her own words.

"I joined the Reaching Older Workers project after being recommended to Women and Work by Linda Bowles the 50+ adviser at the local job centre as my 36 years of marriage had just ended leaving me with no self esteem or confidence and not having worked for 14 years.

 

My Information, Advice and Guidance adviser at Women & Work suggested I start with an Introduction to IPS (Interpersonal Skills) and Laying the Foundations (for work) courses.

 

My barriers to learning were a complete lack of confidence and few or rusty skills, and to some extent my age.

 

I have gone on to do several more courses including the eight week accredited IPS Course, Job Search Skills and Introduction to Computers. I could not have afforded to do all this training if the ROW project had not reimbursed my travel expenses.

 

I feel Women and Work has saved my life and helped me to move forward to a point where I never thought I would be. Without Women & Work I think I would have gone under. They have supported me emotionally while helping me gain the confidence and skills to move forward.

 

I now feel I will be able to go back into the workplace with a more positive attitude, and confidence and my future will be so much more than I ever thought it could be."