Women's Work - The Weavers' Company
I am absolutely delighted to share that we have been awarded a grant by The Weavers Company. This can be used to support any woman who has had contact with the CJS. We are not restricted by borough, benefit status, or probation.
We never stopped this work, limited funding meant we were largely treading water. Working with the PEL, Joe Silk at HMP East Sutton Park, and our retail partners, we have been able to reset local recruitment initiatives. Together with the prison and employers, we have designed a system that fits alongside recruitment processes that are otherwise entirely online. I’m so pleased to say our first two women started work on ROTL before Christmas.
This aspect of our work, building and keeping long-term, relationships with employers, is often overlooked though all our partners across all sectors are genuinely committed to this work. At A Fairer Chance, we encourage employers to see this work as part of their values. I would argue that no employer can call themselves "inclusive" if they are not open to employing people with convictions.
Funding remains a significant challenge. There have been no MOJ or DWP funds aimed at women’s employment since 2024. Many funders will only support registered charities, so how we position our Women’s Work going forward is something I am discussing with my board.
We recently consulted our panel of women with lived experience on the types of jobs and careers they really want. What surprised us was the high level of interest in careers in Hair and Beauty far higher than in construction, which has traditionally been heavily promoted. Both industries offer good opportunities. I want to thank the Sheriff and Recorder’s Fund for supporting two young women to complete beauty technician qualifications.
I want to end with a fantastic story. Working with another excellent Prison Education Lead, Gary Kemble at HMP Downview and with long-standing support from Veolia we arranged, through Roz Belghrous, Contact Centre Manager, for Veolia’s senior leaders to visit. They met the women on the recycling team, admired the gardens, and visited the upcycled furniture workshop. We finished the morning with a Q&A followed by interviews. Six women expressed interest in hands-on roles, and we will pick them up as they are released.
One woman made a particularly strong impression. With previous project and management experience, she was an excellent candidate. We had a release timeline, and Pascal Hauret, Managing Director. Veolia , offered her an interview. Her release date was unexpectedly brought forward, and she was released without an address or contact number. Gary immediately stepped in, contacted her PO, and ensured she contacted me.
She interviewed successfully and has now started a Project Management role in South London A huge thank-you to Pascal Hauret, Managing Director, Scott Edgell, Divisional Head of Municipal Operations, and Roz Belghrous, for making this possible.
Maggie
