Expert help for women seeking to change their working life
As the chaos of the school holidays becomes a distant memory and the ‘normality’ of school runs, after school clubs and day to day work and activity returns, this is an ideal time to reflect on what you really want from your life.
Knowing first hand and from friends and associates the barriers women face on a daily basis as they are pulled from one place to another either in work or at home, founders of Sheffield based Women to Work, Jenny Pollock and Emma Shute felt strongly that they had the capabilities and knowledge to provide a service which would meet the needs of individual women wanting to make a change to their working lives. Whether thinking about returning to work, already in work and considering their options or planning to start or grow their own business, Women to Work’s aim is for women to be fully engaged, motivated and fulfilled in their working life either independently or within an organisation.
Now in its 2nd year and going from strength to strength, female entrepreneurs Jenny and Emma are delighted with the impact their Work Life Discovery coaching workshops and one to one coaching sessions have brought to women across the region. The inspiring sessions involve practical step-by-step activities to help each woman improve their confidence and self-belief, work towards their ideal work/life balance and begin an action plan to make it happen. Packed with knowledge and learning, the workshops enable women to share, learn and inspire each other, whilst the one to one sessions give women the space and time to define and create a fulfilling and successful work life that’s right for them.
Claire from Sheffield attended a Work Life Discovery workshop and commented: “This is probably the most useful workshop I’ve been on. Really useful exercises, a way forward and the opportunity to talk with other women in the same situation. Found it really inspiring.”
Only two years ago a study analysed by the House of Commons found that “14 per cent of the 340,000 women who take maternity leave each year find their jobs under threat when they try to return, with some told that they cannot continue in their role part-time. Some women are forced into positions with less responsibility and find it harder to get a promotion, while others are effectively constructively dismissed.” (Ref: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/10267223/Up-to-50000-women-a-year-cant-return-to-jobs-after-maternity-leave-study-finds.html ). So it is vital that women feel enabled and confident to control their own future and ensure their life is as fulfilled as it can be.
Co-Founder Jenny comments’ “We are passionate about supporting women, to help them find a work life balance that allows them to be not only be great mums but also to be fulfilled happy women who are achieving their potential and feel empowered, positive and happy with their lives. Alongside our coaching workshops, we've had some really positive feedback from our one to one and buddy coaching sessions where we work closely with the women to support them to see their dreams become a reality. A recent client captured the essence of the support we offer in her feedback to us. “ I've got a zillion ideas zooming round my head for my business but struggling to keep all the plates spinning and crystalise my ideas, and even after my first one-hour session with Jenny I had a light-bulb moment. Jenny funneled my barrage of information, let me draw my own conclusions and sparked ideas. Couldn’t recommend her highly enough.” Jo, Sheffield.” It’s when you get feedback like that that all the hard work we put into making our business work feels so worthwhile”
Co-Fonder Emma adds: “We’ve started advertising jobs on our website and writing and sharing useful articles, blogs and stories to inspire and provide support to the many women who are looking to improve their work lives. Next we plan to launch coaching programmes online including the opportunity for women who are interested in being coaches themselves to take an ILM Coaching & Mentoring qualification with Women to Work.”
Whilst studying the MSc in Organisation Change and Consultancy - Coaching and Mentoring at Sheffield Hallam University a few years ago, the two founders were quick to form a friendship which would be long lasting and the foundation of their growing business. Based at the Workstation in Sheffield, Women to Work is leading the way in effective change management for women in and out of the workplace. Women to Work also offers organisational programmes such as the recent women’s development programme for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, a highly successful programme, designed to meet the individual needs of the company and their female workforce. To find out more about these and the next Work Life Discovery Workshops on 7th October, and 12th November contact Women to Work via info@womentowork.co.uk