The steady drop in unemployment is a good news story for the UK. Not only does our economy thrive when more people are earning a living, but not being in work impacts peoples’ income, health and happiness. Yet not everyone with the desire to work is able to gain appropriate, meaningful employment.
This is particularly the case for people with complex lives or additional support needs including disabled people, refugees, care leavers, ex-offenders, veterans, single parents and people who are homeless.
Social entrepreneurs have bold solutions
There are two main challenges faced by people who want to work, but can’t find a job. Firstly, knocking through the inevitable barriers they face from prospective employers, and secondly, a lack of confidence when taking on a new challenge.
But when given the right support and opportunities, it’s possible for anyone to thrive. A growing movement of social entrepreneurs is creating work from these hidden talents.
Fattou Gassama's lived experience of the challenges women can face in the workplace after they become pregnant led her to create Holistic Support. The social enterprise provides workshops, advice and support to help women get back into work or start a business that makes them fulfilled.
