Working together for change with Employers

Annual Review 2006

Marks & Start Lone Parents Returning to Work Programme

Marks & Start Lone Parents Returning to Work Programme

Marks & Start is Marks & Spencer's award-winning flagship community programme and the UK's biggest company-led work experience scheme. Launched in 2004, it gives the opportunity of work experience to people of different ages and walks of life, allowing them to try out a job and giving them the confidence and skills to enter the job market. Different parts of the programme target the homeless, disabled, lone parents and the young unemployed, all of whom can face real barriers getting a job. Currently 40 per cent of the adult programme participants go on to get employment.

Marks & Start has been awarded the Business In The Community 2006 Employability Award for Excellence which is given to the company that has done most to promote employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups. One Parent Families delivers the Lone Parents Returning to Work strand of Marks & Start. Since the programme started in February 2004 over 550 parents have gone throughthe scheme and 48 per cent have gained employment within 13 weeks of finishing the programme.

Mike Barry, Head of CSR, Marks & Spencer:

Mike Barry, Head of CSR, Marks & Spencer:

"Marks & Start has opened the door to employment for hundreds of people who face particular challenges getting a job. We know that practical work experience and being part of a team can boost an individual's confidence and their ability to find employment. Our customers and employees like the programme - they can see M&S living out its commitment to working in its local communities while it provides us with recruitment, employee development opportunities and diversity."

Taking part in the Marks & Start programme helps parents make an informed decision about whether returning to work is right for them. It also prepares them for the world of work, and may direct them to jobs or other training opportunities. Lone parents who have gone through the Marks & Start Lone Parents Returning to Work Programme say they feel more ready for work and have increased their motivation and commitment towards employment. They recognise what employers are looking for and what they, as lone parents, have to offer employers.

They also receive, as part of the employability training and support provided by One Parent Families, information about the financial and nonfinancial support available to them when making the transition into paid work and a greater understanding of the range of childcare available. Around 1,000 Marks & Spencer employees take part in the programme as buddies or coaches. The experience develops their own skills and confidence as well as opening their eyes to the issues that other people face and boosting their pride in the company.

"I feel more independent - now I can pay my own bills and rent. The time apart from my child is really like a break; my self-esteem is better and my confidence. I've learnt a new skill."

Barclaycard Horizons, your family, your future

Barclaycard Horizons, your family, your future

Barclaycard Horizons is a unique programme aimed at supporting lone parents in four key areas: financial management, education and training, parenting and work experience. It is a multipartner project in which we are working alongside Citizens Advice, Parentline Plus and the Family Welfare Association. This year, One Parent Families completed development of an employability strand within the Horizons programme, which we will begin delivering in 2006/07

Discovery Weeks and mentoring for lone parents in London

Discovery Weeks and mentoring for lone parents in London

One Parent Families worked in partnership with Working Links to help deliver the Jobcentre Plus-funded Discovery Weeks and mentoring programme in London. We recruited 21 volunteer coaches, and 66 lone parents attended group or one-to-one coaching sessions to help prepare them for work and training.

Family Fortunes

Family Fortunes

With the knowledge that nearly one third of people leave work on becoming a lone parent, One Parent Families has developed an innovative service which encourages and enables employers to properly support staff who are experiencing family change. Working alongside HR departments and managers, we provide a range of targeted advice and information which helps employees to manage the transition and thereby stay in work. This year saw the first piloting of Family Fortunes, at an Asda store in Clapham, and was a great success, with staff turnover falling by some 5 per cent. Further roll-out of the scheme is scheduled over the coming years.


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