Our impact
Since 2009, we have supported thousands of women to find employment and get their lives on track. We have a proven positive impact on those women and their families, on the economy and on society through reducing reoffending.
As we emerge from the pandemic, more employers than ever are keen to work with us - creating more opportunity for women with convictions
Highlights
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82%
of our clients reported a positive increase in their job skills and experience
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86%
of our clients said they feel more hopeful about their future
-
92%
of our clients are still in the role we helped them get, six months later
Employment works
Nationally, the reoffending rate for women in the UK is 21%, and for women who have been in prison on a short sentence, that leaps to 58%. The women that we support into employment almost never reoffend - there was only one recorded instance in the past year.
Employment and hope for the future really do make all the difference, which is why what we do is absolutely vital.
Careers, not just jobs
At its best, work is about more than just paying the bills. We're here to support women to develop find meaningful work that they're interested in, where there's scope for progression and development, and that will be fulfilling and purposeful.
And if a woman who finds work with our support is ready to take the next step in her career? She can come back any time and we'll support her to find the next opportunity too.
My employment advisor's unwavering confidence in me was instrumental to me believing I could — and should — aspire to roles I could have only dreamt of.
Minnie Client
Creating change
We also know that to really make a difference, we can't just focus on individuals but understand the systems that can help or hinder them. Our policy and research projects create a direct channel of communication from women with convictions, to the politicians that make decisions about their lives.
2021 saw the launch of our flagship policy group of women with convictions driving the change they want to see - Changemakers - which embeds lived experience into our policy and research work.
Our annual reports and accounts
I really enjoyed the workshop on making a disclosure to a potential employer. I was so nervous at the beginning - what happened to me isn't a nice thing to discuss. But the session was fun and full of information. I now feel a little more confident and a little less ashamed
Jasmine Client
Thank you
We are extremely grateful to all the individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate donors who generously support Working Chance and make our transformational work possible.
