For the last month, the Stakeholder Engagement team at the College of Business and Law have had a guest with us on placement. This is part of an initiative set up by an amazing Community Interest Company called The Women’s Work Lab.
We have loved having Mary with us on our team. It’s been wonderful showing her different areas of our work as well as introducing her to colleagues across the University. We’ve enjoyed seeing her confidence grow and have appreciated the energy and enthusiasm she’s brought to the team.
This article was written by Mary on her final day of placement with us. Here she shares her story about the power of Women’s Work Lab, and the value provided by many organisations, like UWE, in offering work placements.
“I had been out of work for over a year when I found this website called Women’s Work Lab and registered to attend their programme. Women’s Work Lab are an organisation to help mums, rebuilding the confidence and to guide them on their journey to find work that works for them, where you will experience a placement to a job you might want in future.
After spending 4 weeks on the WWL programme, it was time to face the first day of the placement work. It was honestly nerve wracking as I didn’t know what to expect. But Women’s Work Lab was right! The people I have spent time during with my placement are so lovely and understanding. They have all made me feel welcome and treat me like a real part of the team.
I was surprised to find that I could do something I had never done before. Having this opportunity to work on the Stakeholder Engagement Team at the College of Business and Law at UWE was a great experience. I have come a long way from who I was before. I now see myself as a hardworking person who is willing to learn. I’ve reminded myself that it is ok to make mistakes, we are all human, and it is important to just be yourself. I now feel confident that I am ready for the next chapter of this experience. Thank you to the Stakeholder Engagement Team. 😊”