What we offer to our workers
As a worker co-operative, we're kind of all about the workers. We were formed specifically to empower women, and we do this in lots of ways.
Education and learning
We provide opportunities for learning at loads of levels. As most of the women we work with are refugees, we start with English training, and then sewing training, leading to an NVQ. We also provide an opportunity to learn about how it is to have a job - we teach punctuality and other employability skills - if you've never had a job before, how do you know you're supposed to call in sick? Alongside this we have a computer suite where we will teach the women how to use email and the internet, and there will be opportunities to learn other stuff online too.
Social space
Our break room is a space where women come together, share food and just be women together. Every lunchtime we are treated to a gorgeous array of smells and flavours, as everyone eats together. Everyone has a locker in here too, so their belongings are safe while they are working.
Advice and support
We can help women get access to a range of support services - everything from how to set up a savings account, to where to get housing advice, to learning about practical parenting is on our list of subjects. We also plan to offer a space where the women can learn to debate and openly discuss issues which affect them.
Woman only space
We recognise from the outset that we are working with marginalised women - and so we recognise that there are issues and vulnerabilities that we need to address. One of the main things we do is to ensure that everything we do is delivered in our safe, trusted, woman only space. All the women feel safe here, which means they can relax and learn and socialise at lunch time without having to worry. No-one learns well if they are uncomfortable or scared and so we do everything we can to create a warm, friendly, fun environment. It seems to be working.
Last but certainly not least, the worker co-op structure offers women the chance to take responsibility for the direction of the business through votes and meetings, and the associated reward of profit share. They will learn how to work as a team, how to participate in meetings, bolstering employability skills, and will be treated absolutely equally in this democratic organisation.