Possibilities

creating equality of opportunity for lone parents entering the labour market in Northern Ireland

Thanks to funding from the European Social Fund through NI EQUAL Community Initiative Programme, Gingerbread has formed partnerships locally and in Europe to create equality of opportunity for lone parents who want to work. 

Explore your Possibilities – for life, for work, for a brighter future.

Possibilities is designed for any lone parent who would like to return to work – or perhaps work outside the home for the first time. It aims to help you take control of your life and make informed choices about your future. The course will build your confidence and enable you to set personal goals. You will then be given the practical help you need to achieve them.

As part of the course you will undertake a supported work placement. This is a great chance for you to ‘have a go’ and experience a work environment of your choice.

So if this sounds like the course for you and you can commit to two mornings a week including attending a work placement then contact us for an application form. The course is FREE.  

Places are always limited, so don’t delay and put your name on the contact list for the next course today! Contact Avril McLaughlin , Possibilities Co-Ordinator, at Gingerbread telephone 028 9023 1417 or email avril@gingerbreadni.org

Posssibilities Update... Possibilities has recently released a series of papers presenting the findings to date on the views of lone parents on a range of issues.

 Paper 1 - 'The views of lone parents on childcare issues'

Paper 2 - 'The impact of poverty on the health and well-being of lone    parents in Northern Ireland'

Paper 3 - 'The views of lone parents on Training and Employment in Northern Ireland'

The ‘Possibilities’ Development Partnership (DP) involves the Department for Employment and Learning, University of Ulster, Belfast Gems with Gingerbread, as the lead partner. We have, in turn, formed a European wide partnership called Empower with organisations in Italy, Spain, Lithuania and Malta.

The local partnership will undertake a review of current policy and practice relating to lone parents and employment both within Northern Ireland and in the ‘Empower’ partner countries. The research will also involve talking to lone parents to identify the obstacles preventing them from having equality of opportunity in the labour market.  The research findings will be published and used by Gingerbread and others to promote positive changes for lone parents.