Career/ Job- Part time working

Women Like Us:

Part-time work can mean the difference for whether a family can survive the recession. But another big difference lies in the many ways part-time work can effectively regenerate communities – especially in these tough economic times.

Women Like Us is a multi-award winning social enterprise that can directly support West Hampstead women with children so they can find flexible work that fits around family life and help local employers to source experienced and skilled part-time staff. Since its inception in 2005 it has helped over 11,000 women with children to re-enter the job market and has found talented staff for many London employers.

Women Like Us has a driving social aim to help all women from all backgrounds to return to work. It has helped mums who have been away from work for six months and those who have not worked for twenty years. It has helped parents to find part-time work as chief financial officers, lawyers, administrative assistants and marketing managers as well as jobs that don’t require specific qualifications or experience. Across the UK there are half a million talented women who want to work but cannot find flexible employment to fit around their family lifestyles. Most of the staff at Women Like Us were once in that half a million bracket themselves and understand how difficult making those first few steps can be.

Many small businesses are looking to recruit part-time as part of their strategy to survive the current economic climate. Managers are increasingly recognising that there are many business benefits in employing part-time – not only because of the reduced cost but because of the calibre of candidate that can be accessed through the unique pool of talent that
‘women returners’ or ‘comeback mums’ represent. Organisations from The Appointments Commission through to the London Fire Brigade all actively look to recruit women returners because they recognise the incredible range of skills of the women in that 500,000 figure.

In helping to build a bridge between women with children and employers, Women Like Us is instrumental in regenerating and boosting communities. Supporting women who need local work and matching them with local businesses increases the economic growth of business at a community level.

West Hampstead alone possesses a wealth of talent and experience in local Mums. The key is to make sure these women know about the services that exist to support them on their journey back to work and ensure they find jobs that suit their experience and fit with family life.