How Grow is Helping Women in Kingston Take the Next Step Towards Work

For the past 18 months, the Grow programme, delivered by Belina Grow, has been supporting women in Kingston through the Mayor of London funded Bridge project, helping women rebuild confidence, develop skills and move closer to employment.

The work is built on strong local partnerships. Grow works closely with Kingston Jobcentre, Twickenham Jobcentre, the Family Hub at Old Malden Children’s Centre, and Kingston Council, where Cameron King, Employment and Skills Programme Lead, has helped raise awareness of the programme across the borough.

Through the council, information about Grow is shared through community newsletters and on the Kingston Council website, and the programme is also promoted through the council’s Ask Nim AI tool, helping residents find local employment and skills support.

A key part of the project is Grow’s presence at Kingston Jobcentre, where women can meet Grow Employment Adviser Iryna [pictured] face-to-face.

“I attend the Jobcentre twice a month,” explains Iryna. “Job coaches refer women to us and sometimes they receive a message in their Universal Credit journal inviting them to get in touch. Some women prefer to meet in person so they can understand what the programme is about and how we can support them.”

During these sessions, Iryna takes time to understand each woman’s background and personal circumstances.

“We talk about their experience, their skills and their situation,” she says. “From that conversation we can identify what they need next and whether they would benefit from upskilling or training before looking for work.”

Many of the women Grow supports are mums with young children who are looking for flexible or part-time roles that fit around school hours and childcare. Others are returning to work after a break or have never worked in the UK before.

Through the Bridge project, Grow helps women explore training opportunities that can help them move forward.

“A lot of women decide to start with training,” says Iryna. “For example, many are interested in working in schools because the hours work well with family life.”

Teaching Assistant courses are one of the most popular pathways, helping women understand the role and build confidence to apply for school-based jobs. Grow also supports women to access ESOL and Functional Skills courses, often delivered through local providers such as Kingston College, helping them improve their English and develop essential workplace skills.

But the support offered through Grow goes beyond training.

Grow hosts monthly sessions in Kingston, supported by Kingston Council, where women come together, introduce themselves and share their experiences.

During these sessions, Iryna and Laura work together to provide different levels of support depending on what each woman needs.

“We start by asking women to introduce themselves and talk about their situation,” Iryna explains. “They often realise that other women are facing similar barriers. When they start sharing their experiences, it helps them understand their next step.”

For some women, that next step is support to build confidence, explore training opportunities and prepare for work. Others arrive already feeling ready to start applying for jobs. We look at which support pathway is right for them.

“Some women say they want to start with courses and build their confidence first,” says Iryna. “Others say they are ready to find work immediately.”

Women who are ready to move straight into employment can be supported through Grow’s Job Brokerage service, which works with them to identify suitable roles and support them through the application process.

By working this way, Grow is able to make sure women receive the right support at the right stage of their journey.

For many of the women attending the sessions in Kingston, Grow is often the first place, as well as a safe space, where they can talk openly about their goals and challenges.

By working alongside local partners and tailoring support to each woman’s circumstances, Grow is helping more women take practical steps towards employment and independence.