Making Work Work

𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲. 𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

Applications are now open for Making Work Work – for Edinburgh Women, our free, award-winning employability programme for women on a career break (or returning from one) who are ready to rebuild confidence, refresh skills, and take their next step into work that actually fits their life. The first cohort starts at the end of August.

Since 2021, we've helped 400 women across Scotland make work work after a career break, and you'll be learning alongside others on the same journey, guided by expert trainers who are women returners themselves.

This isn't just a course. It's your roadmap to work aligned with your skills, ambition and life right now.

📍 Free for eligible women in Edinburgh who are on a career break, or have taken one in the past
🤝 Delivered in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council and Capital City Partnership
📅 First cohort starts at the end of August; places are limited

Ready to map out your next step? Apply now at makingworkwork.scot/edinburgh and share with a woman in Edinburgh you know who's ready for hers too. We can't wait to welcome you!

Today is the United Nations' International Day of Friendship – a reminder of the power of connection and support.

On Making Work Work, and our social entrepreneurship programme Ready to Rise, we see how isolating returning to work after a career break can be. Many women tell us they've lost professional connections, and that friends and family don't always understand the challenges they're facing.

That's why peer support is at the heart of our programmes: the support and friendship formed during the training are often one of the most valued outcomes, providing encouragement, advice and confidence long after the sessions end. Every participant also receives lifetime access to our Alumni community, where women continue to share opportunities, celebrate successes and support one another.

If you would like to be part of a community that lifts you up with kindness, generosity and encouragement, applications are now open for Making Work Work in Edinburgh and Ready to Rise, across all of Scotland.

Find out more at makingworkwork.scot/edinburgh and makingworkwork.scot/rise

What will you be doing a month from now? This summer, give yourself something to look forward to! Applications are now open for our upcoming employability programme in Edinburgh, with the first cohort starting at the end of August.

If you're a woman ready to rebuild your confidence, refresh your skills and take the next step back into work, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Find out more and apply at makingworkwork.scot/edinburgh - places are limited so get your application in and share this with women in Edinburgh you know who would benefit. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Did you know that 71% of Scotland's social enterprises are led or founded by women?

Compare that to traditional business ownership, where women make up just 20% of business owners: that's the power of the social economy.

Ready to RISE (Readiness and Incubation for the Social Economy) is helping even more women discover that path. Designed for women facing barriers to employment – whether that's caring responsibilities, a long career break, trauma or a health condition – the programme offers a flexible, supportive route into social entrepreneurship.

From inspiring community events to CMI-recognised online workshops, and expert mentoring from Firstport, Ready to RISE helps women build the confidence, skills and networks to turn purpose into action.

Together, we're creating opportunities, strengthening communities and building a wellbeing economy where more women can thrive. Applications are now open at Makingworkwork.scot/rise: why not join us?

Only a few days left to have your say!

Approximately 1 in 10 women have endometriosis, a life-limiting, full body condition. Right now you have a unique opportunity to help shape change by sharing your experience of Endometriosis in the workplace with Parliament.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Endometriosis has launched a landmark Inquiry and is inviting evidence from anyone affected by the condition.

By completing the survey, which should only take around 10 minutes, you can help drive meaningful, tangible improvements for women living with endometriosis. Responses can be submitted anonymously.

The call for written evidence closes at 12 noon on 24 July, so we only have a few days left: please take part and share the survey with women and employers you know, to help ensure as many voices as possible are heard.

Employees with lived experience: If you are an employee with endometriosis, you can share your experience on the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L6YRR6J

Employers: If you are responding on behalf of a company or organisation, you can share your experience and insights at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L67CLCR

At our latest Ready to RISE panel, Amy Blake (founder of Fairtrade Electives) shared an analogy that stuck with us.

Think about the people on your bus.

When you first get on, you don't know who the other passengers will be or what will happen on the journey. Some people will be with you the whole way. Others will join later, stay for a few stops, or come and go. You won't always know in advance who those people will be, but you can get better at recognising them.

That uncertainty? Elana Bader (founder of Darroch Nurseries) put it simply: "Get comfortable with the discomfort."

And Zakia Moulaoui Guery (founder of Invisible Cities) agreed that trust is everything, in yourself and your people; sometimes it's a sister who gives you the external perspective you didn't know you needed. Before you look for the expertise gaps, build the foundation of people who'll actually lift you up. Ask for help. Let it come from unexpected places; you never know where it may lead you.

This isn't just advice for founders. Whether you're navigating redundancy, pivoting your career, or growing within it, the same principles apply.

Who's on your bus right now?

As summer begins, why not give yourself something to look forward to this autumn?

Later this year, we'll be running three cohorts of our employability programme in Edinburgh – and applications are now open!

If you're a woman looking to build your confidence, develop your skills and take the next step back into work, we'd love to help you take that next step: find out more and apply at makingworkwork.scot/edinburgh

The summer juggle is real.

For working parents, the school holidays can feel like a logistical puzzle. And quietly behind so many families making work work? A grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, or a trusted family member stepping up.

Whether it's a few days a week or the full six weeks, grandparents (and other family carers) often step in so parents can stay in work, take on more hours, or simply keep going. It's a form of care that rarely gets the recognition it deserves.

Here's something that might change that, at least financially.

Specified Adult Childcare Credits allow grandparents (the name is a little misleading, it applies to other eligible family members too) who are under State Pension age and caring for a child under 12 while the parent works to claim National Insurance credits. Those credits can count toward the State Pension.

The parent simply transfers the NI credit they would have received during their maternity or parental leave, and the carer benefits instead.

It's called the Grandparents' Childcare Credit, and it's been quietly unclaimed by thousands of families who just didn't know it existed.

If this sounds like your family (or someone you know), it's worth checking entitlement now. Claims can be backdated to 2011, but only while the child is still under 12.

Money Saving Expert has a clear breakdown of eligibility and how to apply: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/grandparents-childcare-credit/

This summer, if someone in your family is helping you stay in work,make sure they're not missing out on what they're owed.

Reminder: Applications are now open for Ready to RISE!

Ready to RISE (Readiness & Incubation for Social Enterprise) is supporting three cohorts of women and non-binary people across Scotland between now and March 2027.

Through the programme, you'll:
- Build your confidence, skills and networks
- Develop ideas for a business with social or environmental impact
- Access practical support to help turn your idea into reality

Delivered by The Challenges Group and Firstport, Ready to RISE brings together expertise in women's meaningful participation in the labour market and social enterprise support.

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out. Find out more and apply at: www.makingworkwork.scot/rise

Ready to RISE Replay! If you missed our recent online panel event and information session, you can now access a recording of both of these events on our website.

Ready to RISE (Readiness & Incubation for Social Enterprise) is delivered by The Challenges Group and Firstport. After two cohorts in 2024 and 2025, we are delighted to be running three cohorts in the coming year. The programme is designed to empower women and non-binary people across Scotland to explore the world of social enterprise.

If you have ever wondered whether you could find flexible, fulfilling work while delivering meaningful, social impact, Ready to RISE could be for you.

Applications are now open, so check out the video and apply to join us: places are limited so don’t miss out! 2026 could be the year you make your social enterprise dream a reality!

Find out more, catch up on our events, register for a future event and make your application at www.makingworkwork.scot/rise