How have you managed to get back to work?

[victoriabalfour]

I am just wondering how mums have managed to get back into working, either setting up their own business, working from home or somehow working around nurseries/school runs?
Also if you have received any help in getting back to work? And whether receiving help would have made a difference?

I have started a scheme in which I am hoping will raise awareness for the difficulties mums have in returning back to work. There are endless hurdles we have to face when looking to go back to work and there doesn't seem to be any face to face help we can receive like connexions for kids.

I was wondering what you thought and how you have managed to get back to work and what help you received?

I have not returned to work but think about it all the time and the challenges I will face. The UK Resource Centre for Women in Science Engineering and Technology is a good place to start if you happen to be in / want to return to those areas. Their focus includes work returners.

HI this is a really interesting idea. There are a number of organisatinos that offer something similar but geographical coverage is limitted or the offer is expensive.

if you are lucky enough for your company to pay or perhaps able afford one yourself you can invest in a materntiy coach - this is not somebody to pracctice breathing with, but a qualified profesisonal who will work with you either face to face or over the phone to prepare before leaving work and then help to rebuild your confidence when returning to work. Organisations such as Managing Materntiy, Talking Talent, Corporate Mothers and BeeLeaf do this.

There are a number of smaller organisations that offer facilitated workshops and small support groups such as Back2WorkMum based in the South East.

There are a couple of charities / social enerprises that offer support WomenLikeUs currently London based but with plans to expand to birmingham and Working Families who are a national charity also mentioned by DeirdreB UKRC often run workshops in the various different regions in the UK. You can also down a load free resource packs on the publications page of www.Mayfield-Associates.com. There is also a resource pack for your employer!

The most similar is WomenLikeUs who offer school gate contact and support plus workshops to update CVs, coaching in interview techniques, job hunting tips and support as well as advice on childcare options. Women Like Us also work with employers, particularly SMEs to help them become more family friendly. www.womenlikeus.org.uk

The NCT also cover going back to work as part of their Early Years courses run in small groups with a qualified facilitator.

Commercially there are a number of support groups developing including Capability Jane, which is also a recruitment agency is one.

Not sure what sort of "scheme" you have started or what you had in mind but there may be government funding available, particularly in the "Regions", to encourage people into work. Ultimately (sp?) it's in the government's interest that we all work, as our earned income creates income and jobs for other people and increases the money circulating in the "system".

I've looked for a full time nursery place and drop my daughter off before work and pick her up after. If I can't, e.g. because I have a meeting further away and therefore have to travel, my husband does the nursery run.

Don't have local family or any other help

Work full time, daughter at full time nursery.

I leave house at 6.20am so husband drops her off. I collect her at 5.30pm

We have no other help from friends or family, even if emergency so we have to be super organised.

I am very of people with family support and lower childcare costs!