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Charities who help to work after a parenting break

15 replies

LimeLollipop · 22/11/2025 01:22

Could anybody recommend a charity or project that help mums get back into work after a break parenting? I’d be especially keen to hear from anyone who has accessed that type of organisation and successfully found work.

I’m trying to return to work after a break at home parenting. Before I had children I did a lot of contracting, mainly working as a Project Support Officer on task and finish projects for a defined amount of time. The money was really good, I loved the variety but it meant that I didn’t have long term jobs. Mainly they lasted a year or two.

One of my children has additional needs so wasn’t allowed to go to after school club and childminders were reluctant to take him so one of us had to stay at home as we couldn’t access childcare. Fortunately things have improved and his wonderful school have worked with us to get him to a point where he can access after school care and breakfast club.

My husband works in construction and it’s not a great industry to be in at the moment and he has had periods of unemployment. Fortunately I was able to find work in those periods, decent jobs, purchasing for my local council and working on an NHS project preventing inherited disabilities. I have good reference from both.

But because I took breaks my CV looks really patchy and I am really struggling to find a job. And believe me I am applying to hundreds of jobs.

So I have been trying to access charities and projects who say they help Mums get back into work. Dozens and dozens of them. I have heard nothing back. I am a graduate, I have references, I would do literally anything from cleaning to bar work. I just want to get back into work but need some help. If anyone could recommend an organisation who are helpful with this, I would be incredibly grateful. Thank you!

OP posts:
Needanadultgapyear · 22/11/2025 07:12

My sister went back into health and safety after a similar break. She initially had to take a lower grade post partly to refresh her qualification and partly to get something recent on her CV. She then moved into consultancy and after 18 months is back at the same level as she was prior to her career break.
It was hard having to have a grunt level job, but in the long term has been worth it.

user1471548941 · 22/11/2025 08:01

Rather than charities, lots of large corporations run “Re-entry” programs now, aimed at those who’ve taken a career break getting back into work. They’re expecting a gap on the CV. It’s usually run as a couple of months internship style to assess what kind of role/level you should be at, with the intention to convert to a permanent role.

MidlifeChange · 22/11/2025 17:57

I’m following as looking for the same thing. I took a few years off for similar reasons (child with additional needs). I had a DH with a high paying job but we are separated now. I’m getting rejected from everything and starting to panic. I need to be thinking about getting a mortgage on my own when we sell the house. I did find some projects/ services to help carers get back to work but it looks like they don’t exist anymore.

LimeLollipop · 23/11/2025 10:42

user1471548941 · 22/11/2025 08:01

Rather than charities, lots of large corporations run “Re-entry” programs now, aimed at those who’ve taken a career break getting back into work. They’re expecting a gap on the CV. It’s usually run as a couple of months internship style to assess what kind of role/level you should be at, with the intention to convert to a permanent role.

Do you know if these schemes, internships in particular, give any assistance with childcare costs?

Thank you.

OP posts:
Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 23/11/2025 11:23

LimeLollipop · 23/11/2025 10:42

Do you know if these schemes, internships in particular, give any assistance with childcare costs?

Thank you.

...why would they?

CalendarChoice · 23/11/2025 13:55

Suggest apply for local jobs in

Schools
Hospitals
Prisons
Civil service

Look
www.gov.uk
Find a job
Enter location

Welcome to GOV.UK

GOV.UK - The best place to find government services and information.

http://www.gov.uk

Slothisavirtue · 23/11/2025 14:03

It might also be worth getting advice from a career consultant or something on how to structure your cv

LimeLollipop · 26/11/2025 02:46

Well do the government help pay for it like they do via universal credit? Because it would be a lot cheaper to fund a short course than family long them on benefits.?” It is better for children to be in a less let working homehould.workers will also pay tax and help the economy.

We’re not all lucky enough to have Gran round the corner to babysit.

OP posts:
CheeseIsMyIdol · 26/11/2025 02:48

LimeLollipop · 23/11/2025 10:42

Do you know if these schemes, internships in particular, give any assistance with childcare costs?

Thank you.

Isn that a parenting responsibility?

Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 26/11/2025 05:35

LimeLollipop · 26/11/2025 02:46

Well do the government help pay for it like they do via universal credit? Because it would be a lot cheaper to fund a short course than family long them on benefits.?” It is better for children to be in a less let working homehould.workers will also pay tax and help the economy.

We’re not all lucky enough to have Gran round the corner to babysit.

Trust me I know, my family are all dead. But I can't see an employer paying for your childcare so you can do an internship, as nice as that would be.

Toomuch2019 · 26/11/2025 07:27

STEM returners (you don’t necessarily need a stem background)

Firefly100 · 26/11/2025 07:46

www.smartworks.org.uk/

FlappicusSmith · 26/11/2025 11:47

ivee is brilliant (ivee.jobs/) - not a charity, but loads of free workshops/ resources on their site. They were set up for women career returners, but now their scope is broader.

I found their CV session and the ones on how to better use LinkedIn and AI really helpful.

And btw, the jobs market is absolutely dire at the moment OP (possible about to get worse, depending on the budget later today), so it's not just you, in terms of rejections.

Stickthatupyourdojo · 26/11/2025 11:48

My employer offers similar through these people - https://www.womensworklab.co.uk/home

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