Parents gain help with work

Bosses at North Ayrshire Council have gained first hand experience of their We Work For Families programme.

Council leader, Joe Cullinane, met with those who have successfully completed the initiative.

The council, together with the Lennox Partnership, launched the We Work For Families programme in 2017.

Since then, 104 parents have received a package of support tailored to their individual needs and aspirations.

Some of those parents have only just begun on their journey but already a third of parents have moved into employment or have gone on to college.

Funded by the European Social Fund, the programme offers tailored support packages for parents wishing to return to work but lack work experience and confidence to do so.

The initiative provides support with debt, childcare and housing issues ( particularly private tenancies) and helps parents plan and prepare for returning to work including help with finding job.

Cllr Cullinane said: “We want to transform the lives of children experiencing poverty, but to do this we need to transform the lives of parents – this is exactly what this project set out to do.

“We are already beginning to see the benefits with 18 people who have completed the programme going onto secure a job.

“I spoke with two young women who have finished the workshops and they were both delighted with how the initiative has helped boost their confidence and help them to secure jobs.”