Spring news at Gifted Women
Welcoming New Staff:
We're delighted to have expanded our team in the New Year:
Ashlea joins as our new Operations Manager and will be looking after all our services while we expand this year.
Kellie has stepped into the role of Lead Group Work Facilitator, creating space for women to grow through our Employability and Freedom programmes.
Sam joins us a Peer Researcher, amplifying women's voices to inform our services, and bring about system change at a local and national level.
Emily has joined as our Employers Community Lead, working with local employers to organise work experience placements and paid work for women.
All of our team are passionate about empowering women and committed to our mission - unlocking doors to employment for women overcoming multiple disadvantage.
Gifted Women & HMP Eastwood Park
Helen & Jenny visited our nearest women's prison, HMP Eastwood Park. Helen says:
"I had the great pleasure of accompanying Jenny back to the prison where I spent 6 months in in 2020. I went because I passionately support this charity which has helped me back on my feet. I want to give something back and now I can help with the support and rehabilitation needs of women coming back to Plymouth."
Gifted Women is establishing a partnership with HMP Eastwood Park, which will see us meet with women soon to be returning to the Plymouth area, so we can be ready to support them with employability upon their release.
New Employer Partnerships
This month we say a huge thank you to; The Box, Drakes Island, Poles APart, Lawsons, Block Design, Beyond Limits, Boringdon Park Golf Club and The Horticultural Therapy Trust for partnering to offer work placements.
The benefits of work experience placements are truly amazing - they can build confidence, unlock unknown skills and gifts, and help with routine and a sense of purpose.
Think you can provide work experience or want to know more? Get in touch by emailing emily@giftedwomen.co.uk
In women’s words:
“I had a mental breakdown during the Covid 19 lockdown. I lost everything, my mind, my kids, my house and my freedom. I hit rock bottom and the only way was up. I went to prison in 2020 and received proper medication and diagnosis and received real help with my mental health.
I got out and fought for my sobriety and family, and I did 12 months of recovery in the 12 step programme. I immersed myself in this and was offered the Gifted Women employability programme and work experience. I now have my family back, including my dogs. What was broken slowly mended and I am now stronger than ever.
The Gifted Women programme was so uplifting; meeting wonderful women, being part of a supportive, kind and seriously funny group of women. Watching us all grow together to get where we are, I have loved every minute.
It was so humbling to see all individuals grow from week to week in an empathic, nurturing environment. No judgement, no stigma.
We had empowering talks, we did confidence, feelings and emotions, games, ice breakers and gratitudes. They show you it’s not what you can’t do it’s what you CAN do. They help with change of thinking to realise real opportunities for a new future – positives not negatives, saying yes instead of no. They are people that do believe in you and help you believe in yourself. It has created wonderful memories for us all.”
Funding News- The Freedom Programme
Special thanks to Recovery Devon who awarded Gifted Women funding through their Winter Development Fund. Because of this funding, Kellie, our Group Work Facilitator could train to become a ‘Freedom Programme’ facilitator. We are now offering this domestic abuse awareness course - The Freedom Programme - free to women in the Tavistock area. Domestic abuse proves to be a significant barrier to women moving forwards in life and accessing the workplace, so we look forward to equipping women with knowledge and tools to break this cycle. Please get in touch for information about the freedom programme
GIFTED WOMEN EXPERIENCES:
Toby Gorniak MBE of Street Factory CIC gave an amazing inspirational speech, and delivered a hip hop dance choreography session to empower women on our employability programme. It got us all out of our comfort zones and built bonds through fun and laughter.
As a half term treat, Stefan at The Warrior Within project hosted a self defence session for women in our community. This was an invigorating and empowering experience for us all, followed by a lovely walk to the sea and hot chocolate, with great company and conversation.