Helping Women Find Flexible Work by the Seaside
We recently held an event in Kent that captured exactly why our work matters.
With the sun shining and the coast just a short walk away, the theme almost wrote itself: Sun, Sea and Social Value.
For women living in seaside and coastal communities, finding flexible or part-time work that fits around family life can be particularly difficult. Government research highlights concentrations of deprivation in coastal towns, including parts of Thanet, with employment among the areas measured.
Behind these findings are women who want to work but may feel disconnected from the opportunities around them. Local roles can seem limited, but flexible opportunities do exist. Part of our work at Successful Mums Career Academy is helping women find them while connecting employers with an incredible pool of skilled local talent.
And that is exactly what we did on a sunny morning in Thanet.
Sponsored by Thanet District Council, the event brought together 25 local mums who wanted to work but had lost confidence, felt stuck or didn’t know where to begin. Some believed there just weren’t any suitable roles nearby. Others needed fresh ideas, practical guidance and a little hope.
What Was Really Holding Them Back?
When women come to us, we ask one simple question:
What is the biggest barrier standing between you and work?
The same three answers regularly come up:
- Confidence
- Knowing what to put on a CV
- Meeting employers
So, rather than only talking about what they could do next, we helped them begin doing it.
The mums received practical advice on speaking positively about themselves, recognising their strengths and confidently introducing themselves to employers. We helped them update their CVs and see that a career break is not an empty gap: it can be filled with valuable experience and highly transferable skills.
Or, as we like to say, it was time to help them put their crowns back on.
We invited local employers into the room, creating personal introductions and giving the women the chance to have real conversations about the opportunities available. We also had our Kent DWP partners on hand, providing advice and guidance around the childcare support available.
The morning was about more than employment. It gave mums the opportunity to connect with one another, enjoy themselves and begin building the peer support that can make such a difference.
During the event, they could:
- Speak directly with advisers and receive personalised career guidance
- Ask employers questions in a friendly, informal setting
- Learn about flexible roles available in the local area
- Leave with greater clarity and a practical next step
- Be introduced to other training providers or specialist support where appropriate, including support relating to domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns
Five Women Secured Employment
Of the 25 women who attended, five have already gone on to secure employment.
That is a 20% employment outcome from one morning event.
Behind that figure are five individual women who were given the confidence, connections and opportunity to move forward.
The roles secured included:
- Community Liaison Nurse
- Care professionals
- Client Experience Manager
- Volunteer Coordinator
Each new role can have an impact far beyond employment alone. It can bring greater financial security to a family, improve confidence and wellbeing, help a local employer find the right person and strengthen the wider community.
This is social value you can see: local women moving into local opportunities and feeling recognised for everything they have to offer.
Bringing Women and Employers Together
Successful Mums Career Academy exists to bridge the gap between employers and women returning to work.
We help women rebuild their confidence and recognise the value of their experience. At the same time, we help employers meet talented, resilient and motivated candidates they might not otherwise reach.
Wafa, one of the employers who attended, said:
“Successful Mums does an amazing job of bridging the gap, building confidence and creating introductions to organisations like ours that truly embrace women and mothers.”
Helen Goodall secured a role after attending the event. She said:
“I was very impressed with Successful Mums’ professionalism, authenticity and genuine determination to help others. I would definitely recommend the team. I have now gained employment as a result of the event, after learning what to do and meeting an employer who wanted to take me on because of my skills.”
When employers and women returners come together, confidence grows, doors open and women begin to see that flexible, fulfilling careers really are possible – even in areas where opportunities can initially seem limited.
Successful Mums + local mums + employers = real social value.
Could Your Organisation Be Next?
Events like this need the right partners behind them.
Thanet District Council’s sponsorship made the morning possible and helped deliver an immediate, measurable result: five local women securing employment, along with greater confidence, stronger employer connections and genuine social value for the community.
If your council, organisation or business would like to create a similar impact in your community, we would love to talk to you about sponsoring a Women Returners event with Successful Mums Career Academy. Contact rachel@successfulmums.co.uk
If you’re a mum who has been inspired and want to find out more – check out our courses HERE.
More women can feel seen, valued and ready to take their next step into work.