In July 2022, The Gifted delivered the Enterprise Wing Project in Edmonton, Enfield and worked with 30 young women, some of these women were young single mums who were not in education, employment or training. The project was implemented to support our desire of changing futures for young women in Edmonton and beyond.

These beneficiaries met one or some of the following vulnerability factors. They were either:

• at risk of homelessness
• victims of domestic abuse
• care leavers
• educated at a pupil referral unit
• low educational attainment
• or caregivers.

The programme was designed to help women start a business or transition into employment. 19 women went on to either start a business or gain employment. This project was partly funded by Lawrence Atwell.

The results

We trained 19 individuals to become Session Workers with The Gifted through our Introduction to Youth Work Programme (formerly Enterprise Wings). This was funded by the MW Community Chest Grant. These women have lived-experiences and some have special education needs. All of them met one or more of the following vulnerability factors including;

• Single parent
• Low income family
• Refugee and asylum seeker
• Victim of domestic/ psychological abuse
• Parent of child/ children with special education needs and/or disability
• Parent/ carer of a child in need
• Individual with special education needs
• Young person not in education, employment or training
• Victim of youth violence (experience of sexual harmful behaviour)
• Experience of self harming and suicidal ideation
• Learning need (such as ADHD, dyslexia)

Committed to improving futures

Following on from the Spreading your Wings – Meridian Water Project, The Gifted will continue to work with vulnerable women who live in Edmonton and Ponders End, Enfield. We know that these are the most socially deprived wards in the borough.

The Introduction to Youth Work programme provides mental health and wellbeing support. As well as employability training with the prospects of gaining paid work experience on successful completion and safe recruitment of the programme. This employability and wellbeing programme provides at least six hours paid employment. It also provides the opportunity to acquire certificates in;

• First Aid
• Data Protection
• Understanding Autism
• Understanding Sexual Harmful Behaviour in Schools
• and Child Protection and Safeguarding.

“I received an email this morning stating my DBS had progressed to the next stage which is printing my certificate. So hopefully that will be in my hands very soon. Also can I just say a huge thank you for the help with my home move, we were able to move over half term and although it’s resembling chaos at the moment at least it’s a warm cosy chaos.“

Session Worker, June 2023