Young Women’s Trust this year helped a record number of young women into work and training through its free employability coaching and CV feedback service.
The charity, which helps 18 to 30 year olds on low or no pay, supported 2,500 women through its Work It Out service in 2018/19, with 53% reporting that they had started a new job, training, volunteering or interning within six months.
A whopping 93% said they would recommend the service to a friend. In feedback collected by the charity, many said it was a game-changer: transforming their confidence, reducing their anxiety, improving their job applications and enabling them to get a job.
Work It Out client Miriam* said: “My coach was incredible, she was such a good listener and really helped me think about what I wanted in a career and what I value… Fast-forward to now and I am about to start a new job that I think I will really like. Speaking to my coach before my interview really helped to both ease my nerves but also to think about how I would articulate my skills and experience in an interview. I am really, really grateful for Work It Out coaching.”
Another client, Abby*, said: “Before the Work It Out coaching, I was unemployed, depressed and felt as if I had no one. I had absolutely zero self-esteem and hated myself so much. I felt worthless and a waste of space. I wanted to do something with my life and I had no idea where to start. I was anxious that I wouldn’t have a good future and I’d end up jobless my entire life. Work It Out has helped me with literally all of those things.”
Poppy* found the professional feedback on her CV especially helpful, saying: “I am blown away at the detail of the feedback on my CV. It is invaluable. Thank you so much for this. I really look forward to putting all the pointers into practice.”
Overall, 97% of service users reported positive changes in their lives, from improved mental health to gaining employment.
Suzi Copland, services director at Young Women’s Trust, said:
“Young women want to work and be financially independent but they aren’t getting the necessary support. They tell us they don’t feel confident applying for jobs and they don’t get any feedback when they do.
“Work It Out gives women the support they need in a way that works for them. It is helping women to realise their strengths, boost their confidence and get jobs. I hope that over the coming year more young women will benefit from our great service.”
Note to editors
- Young Women’s Trust supports and represents women aged 18 to 30 trapped by low or no pay and facing a life of poverty. The charity provides services and runs campaigns to make sure that the talents of young women don’t go to waste.
- Young Women’s Trust provides a free coaching and job application feedback service, Work It Out, to women in England and Wales aged 18 to 30. Having used the service, the feedback from clients has shown that:
- 53% of young women who accessed both the coaching and CV feedback said that within six months they were in employment, training, volunteering, an internship or self-employed
- 93% said they would recommend the service to a friend
- 97% of those who used both services reported a positive change, from improved mental health to gaining employment
