Help Survivors of Domestic Abuse into Work

Aim

A stepping stone for women survivors of domestic abuse to get back into paid work, to help them rebuild their lives, and start a new story.

Who we are

Page & Bloom is a women led social enterprise created in 2018 to help women survivors of domestic abuse to get back into work. We do this because work is such an important part of a survivor's journey to rebuilding her life by providing financial independence, boosting self-esteem and confidence, and building a new support network. But for many survivors, getting into work can be a real challenge- they may have gaps on their CV, their confidence has been eroded, and the prospect of going into a new workplace can be very daunting.

We set up a social business to address these issues - we are a small paper floristry business, creating handmade paper flower displays for events, weddings and gifts, all made from recycled paper. We employ women to make the flowers, and have created jobs for 16 women since we started, 70% of whom are survivors.

"I had no confidence when I came to Page & Bloom now I feel like I can do anything." (Training programme graduate, 2022)

What we do

We have been running a free job skills training and work experience programme since 2020, to help more women in their journey into work. We offer free training to help women identify the skills they already have, learn new transferable skills, develop their CV and practice interview skills. We then offer paid work experience placements to help women put these skills into practice, and build up their CV. So far we have supported 19 women, 76% of whom have gone on to further formal training or paid work after finishing the training. 

Why we need your help

2023 has been a difficult year for small businesses, and especially for social enterprises who are trying to deliver a social purpose. Our sales are down, and we are reaching out to our community for help so that we can keep our training programme running.

Activities

The funding will help us to get our training programme underway, which  provides: 

• Drop in craft sessions for women to take the first step, coming to make flowers in a relaxed environment and meet other people
• Paid work experience placements for up to 3 months in our social business, to build up a CV and get into the routine of working. Women are able to work in a women only environment, amongst people who understand what they have been through, while they build up confidence to enter a mainstream workplace
• Volunteer placements for up to 3 months, for those who are unable to start paid work at the moment
• Job skills training sessions covering transferable skills, what to expect in a job, your rights at work and writing a brilliant CV
• Drop in clinics where women can get 1:1 support for CVs, job applications or interview practice
• A welcoming space at our studio where women can come and use our space, wifi and coffee to do job searching or applications in the company of others.

Testimonials from previous trainees

"I've been going through a difficult time in my life and being at Page & Bloom has been a sort of an anchor for me in terms of self-identity. To be physically part of a team and doing things together has brought me a lot of hope and confidence and helped me to re-focus on myself"

"I hadn’t had a job for years, I’d brought up my children, and felt my CV would look terrible. I was depressed and stuck, with my confidence draining away."

"Applying for jobs can be such a lonely process [the training programme] is better than a careers adviser, because this is real life."

"I have learned so many new things. I feel more confident now as I have got new skills. I have become more creative and organised."

"It’s been a window of positivity for me through very dark and challenging times and has given me a sense of normality."

How your donations will help

• £5 will pay for a pair of scissors for a woman to start her flower making journey!
• £20 will fund travel and expenses to help a woman take up a volunteer placement for a week
• £40 will pay for our trainees to deliver a free flower making workshop for other women at a local domestic abuse refuge or community group
• £60 will pay for one fortnightly drop in craft session, where women can come and meet other people, and build up confidence before stepping into work
• £143 will fund a week's paid work experience for a woman taking her first step into employment
• £240 will pay for a 3 month volunteer placement for a woman who is not yet able to take up paid employment
• £584 will pay for a month's paid work experience for a survivor of domestic abuse

This project successfully funded on 1st May 2023