WOMEN have been hit hardest in the recession with the numbers claiming Jobseekers Allowance more than doubling in the last five years in the Merseyside region.
Now they are being offered a lifeline by Liverpool-based female enterprise agency The Women’s Organisation.
Funding
The award-winning agency has teamed up with Liverpool City Council to launch a new initiative to help women to either set up their own business or find a job.
The Women’s Enterprise Programme is backed by European funding and aims to work with more than 300 women within the Liverpool city region.
Maggie O’Carroll, chief executive of The Women’s Organisation, said: “It is widely recognised that women have borne the brunt of the recession with many in the area either out of work or facing redundancy and are unsure of what to do next."
So it is offering a range of options to support women in to work – either on a self-employed basis or into a job. The help available includes courses on applying for jobs, standing out at interview, advice from a qualified business adviser about starting up a business and grants that are available and networking opportunities.
Experts say women have been hit hardest by public sector cuts, which have disproportionately impacted on women due to the high numbers working in the sector.
Vital
Maggie added: “We have the expertise to work with women on a one to one basis and provide support that is very much tailored to individual needs.”
Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet member for employment, enterprise and skills, added: “These are difficult times for everyone, but we know that women have been particularly hit hard and that is why it is absolutely vital that we do all we can to give them the help and support necessary to find new employment.”
Women eligible to apply for the programme include those who are unemployed, economically inactive, working fewer than 16 hours a day or are under threat of redundancy.
To find out more about the programme or the other free services available from The Women’s Organisation, including advice and support on starting a business, call 0151 706 8111.
