European Social Fund in England

NEW women project helps break down the barriers for young mothers

Many barriers exist for young mothers looking to return to education but now with the help of the NEW Women project, structures have been specifically designed to break down these down.

Funded by the European Social Fund and supported by the Learning and Skills Council Herefordshire and Worcestershire (local LSC), the NEW Women project was started in September 2003 with the aim of giving young mothers the necessary skills and abilities to access further education, training or employment.

The main objective of the project is to improve the opportunities available to young mothers aged 16-24 years living in the Redditch and Bromsgrove areas who are part of the NEET group (not engaged in education, employment or training).

One Mother who has first experience of the NEW Women project is Jenny.

Recently arrived in Bromsgrove, Jenny came into contact with the group and had been unable to achieve formal qualifications due to a variety of difficult personal circumstances. Joining the NEW Women 'Bumps and Babes' group, Jenny's confidence grew quickly.

Enrolling onto the full project Jenny produced an amazing portfolio of work and quickly gained her full OCN Adult Literacy award. Upon completion, Jenny was reluctant to leave the group as she did not feel ready to move to the next stage of her education, nor did she want to lose the life-focus that the project had given her. It was also the first time she had felt valued.

The solution was for Jenny to join the staff of the project as a volunteer buddy, helping enrol learners and market the project to funding agencies. Jenny has now been asked to join the manager of the group to go to Leicestershire, the national youth agencies to review basic skills recourses and provide feedback from an adult learner prospective.

The project has been highly successful. The majority of learners have continued onto either part-time further education courses, part-time work or become involved in the voluntary sector until their children are older. In less than 18 months over 150 young mothers have been contacted by the project of which 69 enrolled with the scheme, many of which have achieved (or are working towards) a full adult literacy award.

For more information, please contact:

Lynsey Cooke

Publicity Officer

Email : lcooke.gowm@go-regions.gov.uk

Direct Tel: 0121 352 5248

Direct Fax: 0121 352 5188

Project Contact:

Vanessa Winters

Email: vanessa.winters@lsc.gov.uk