Supporting Women Back into Work with SWEET

For the past seven years, Grow has delivered the SWEET Programme, supporting women who are furthest from the labour market to rebuild confidence, develop skills and take steps towards work.

Funded by the National Lottery and now entering its 10th year, SWEET supports women across London and is delivered in partnership between Grow (Belina Consulting), PDT, and Equi-Vision.

Saeema, who has been working on the SWEET programme since 2019, says many of the women who come to Grow face a combination of barriers when trying to enter or return to work.

“Many of the women we support haven’t worked for a long time, or they’ve never worked in the UK before. Some have qualifications or experience from their home country, but they don’t know how the system works here. Others have spent years raising children and now want to return to work but don’t know where to start.”

Women are referred to SWEET through a range of community partners including schools, children’s centres, job centres, charities and local community organisations, as well as through word of mouth. Once on the programme, they receive personalised one-to-one support alongside group sessions designed to build confidence, develop skills and help them understand how to access opportunities.

“One of the biggest barriers is experience,” Saeema explains. “Employers often ask for experience, but if someone hasn’t worked here before it can be difficult to get that first opportunity.”

To help overcome this, Grow works closely with local partners to connect women with volunteering opportunities and work experience, allowing them to gain practical experience while continuing to receive support with things like CV writing, interview preparation and job searching.

“We work with organisations such as H4All, Home-Start and other community groups. Volunteering gives women the chance to gain experience while still having the support they need to move forward.”

Most women stay on the programme for between six and nine months, although support can continue longer depending on individual needs. Advisers stay in regular contact, helping women stay motivated and setting small steps that move them closer to employment.

“It’s about giving people the time and space they need,” Saeema says. “Sometimes someone just needs help understanding how to apply for a job online or how to upload their CV. Other times it’s about building confidence and helping them believe they can do it.”

The programme also includes Grow Bootcamp sessions, delivered in community settings such as schools and children’s centres. These sessions help women explore their confidence, identify barriers and think about practical solutions for moving forward.

A key strength of Grow’s approach is the lived experience within the team itself. Many of the women who work with Grow are mothers and have faced similar challenges themselves, including balancing childcare, building confidence and returning to work after a break.

Saeema often delivers parts of the Grow Bootcamp in different community languages, helping women feel comfortable and fully included in the sessions.

“When women hear someone speaking their language and understanding their situation, they open up,” she explains. “They realise they’re not alone and that there are ways forward.”

For many women, the programme is about more than just finding a job. It’s about understanding the systems around them, building confidence and gaining the skills they need to move forward independently.

“A lot of the women we meet have so much ability and experience,” Saeema says. “They just don’t always realise it themselves. Once they begin to see what they are capable of, it can really change how they move forward.”

Through personalised support, community partnerships and a deep understanding of the barriers women face, the SWEET programme continues to help women take meaningful steps into employment, volunteering and further learning, creating lasting impact for families and communities across London.