Women’s Work Lab is Channel 5 News ‘Hero of the Week’
The brilliant Channel 5 News has named the Women’s Work Lab it’s ‘Hero of the Week’. We had a brilliant time filming with the lovely Channel 5 crew (huge thanks to them) and our, as ever, wonderful mums. We are so grateful to Crystal and Aaliyah for taking time out of their busy weeks to appear on camera and talk to Channel 5 News about how the Women’s Work Lab helped them on their journeys back into work.
Take a look at the film HERE!
Work scheme for mums was best thing I've done
In September 2024, Chelsee Ayling from Bristol did not know where to turn.
A mum of two boys, one who had health complications due to a heart condition, she had just decided to leave an unhealthy relationship and had been told her new job was not the right fit for her because she had too much on her plate.
Her confidence was knocked, and she felt worthless - so she reached out to a friend who worked at a Bristol-based charity called the Women's Work Lab.
It was training with the charity, which begins operating in Birmingham in 2026, and her own determination, that changed her life.
Read more here
September 2025
Birmingham mums are invited to apply for a free programme to support them back into work
Unemployed mums in Birmingham can now apply for a free 12 month programme to support them back into work. The programme is described as “life-changing” and helps the build a financially secure future.
Read more here
May 2025
Women’s Work Lab receives royal recognition for the support it offers mums
The Women’s Work Lab was invited to a royal garden party, in recognition of it’s work supporting mums back into work. The Education and Skills Garden Party at Buckingham Palace celebrated the work of the UK’s education sector.
Read more here
March 2025
‘Life changing’ all-female social enterprise celebrates significant milestone
An all-female social enterprise that helps unemployed mothers get back to work has marked a milestone recently.
The Women’s Work Lab, a pioneering initiative based in Bristol with a regional focus across the South West, has supported its 500th mother since it started six years ago.
Founded by Camilla Rigby and Rachel Mostyn, Women’s Work Lab participants are empowered through bespoke employment programmes designed to facilitate a return to work.
Read more here
December 2024
Women’s Work Lab ends a bumper year with a huge prize
The Prime Minister and the University of Cambridge recognise the work of the Bristol based Women’s Work Lab. The organisation has supported over 500 local women since it was founded five years ago.
Read more here
November 2024
'Life-changing' charity helping mums back into work
A charity which offers training for mothers to work in schools says the course is transforming lives.
The Women's Work Lab, based in Bristol, offers free training courses to women who are struggling to find paid work after having children.
They are now setting up a specific course for women who want to work in schools specifically, which will include a DBS certificate and school placements.
Reneta Atanasova, 41, who graduated from the programme in 2023, said: "The Women's Work Lab has totally changed my life and given me the confidence to find a role that suits both me and my family."
Read more here
March 2024
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Rachel Mostyn
We’re excited to be hosting a wide range of activities to celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8th March, aiming to inspire conversations and changes to make a real impact for women all year round. Our first activity of the year is our International Women’s Day panel event, taking place at Leigh Court on the 8th March.
We spoke to one of our panellists for the event Rachel Mostyn, Co-Founder and joint CEO of the Women’s Work Lab, to discover more about the work she does, and why she’s excited to get involved with International Women’s Day and inspire inclusion in the world of work and beyond.
Read more here
February 2024
Empowering women in the workplace: the importance of inclusion and support
Each year, International Women's Day reminds us of the need to recognise and support women. Not just in everyday life, but also in the workforce. Despite the progression that has taken place, women continue to be overlooked in employment, and that is especially true of mothers who are looking to return to work.
Ahead of our International Women’s Day event, we caught up with Rachel Mostyn, Co-Founder and joint CEO at the Women’s Work Lab (a Supporter of the Good Employment Charter) to understand more about the integral work they do to support women.
Read more here:
January 2024
Interview with Camilla Rigby
We recently spoke with Camilla Rigby, the Co-Founder & Joint CEO of Women's Work Lab, celebrating the milestone of supporting over 300 mothers back into employment since 2020. Camilla shares the organization's impactful journey and the recent rebranding initiative in collaboration with Oakwood Agency.
Sam Harrison: You’ve recently announced the remarkable milestone of supporting over 300 Mums back into employment since the launch of the Women's Work Lab in January 2020. Can you tell us more about the journey and the impact the organization has made?
Business West Blog: Read more here
June 2023
The project aiming to get mums across Bristol in to work
A project running in Bristol and across the South West is helping unemployed mums and those on benefits get into the workplace.
Women's Work Lab, was founded by Camilla Rigby and Rachel Mostyn in 2020 and offers classroom training, work placements and career coaching to women who want to boost their confidence and employability skills.
They have had success so far and by the end of 2023 the project is hoping to have worked with more than 300 mums, with a target of getting 60% of those in employment within six months of completing their training.
Founder Rachel told ITV West Country that the project was aimed at supporting all mums in the region.
"We needed to create something that was for all mums and particularly mums that might have faced significant barriers to getting back into work so for example survivors of domestic abuse, children with special needs or mums with their own health conditions," she said.
ITV News - read the full story here
April 2023
Are ‘returnships’ for unemployed mothers the way to solve UK recruitment struggles?
A Bristol based organisation has partnered with investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown to offer an “entry-level returnship” - could this be the way forward for the UK job market?
The Times - Read the full story here
March 2023
Budget 2023: Bristol mother hopeful over plan for childcare
Some parents in Bristol have welcomed the chancellor's plans to help parents who want to go back to work.
Charmaine expected Budget changes which would see childcare costs paid up front to parents claiming universal credit to be "really helpful".
BBC Online - Read the full story here
January 2023
Project helps Bristol Mums re-enter the workforce
A project helping unemployed mothers return to the workplace is aiming to support even greater numbers of women.
The Women's Work Lab, based in Bristol, offers free training courses to women who are struggling to find paid work after having children.
BBC Online - read the full story here
December 2022
How more mums are supported back into work
Women in North Somerset, who struggled to find a job, have graduated from a support programme to help them back into work.
North Somerset Times - Read the full article here
January 2022
Mums helped to get back into work after career break
MUMS who have struggled to find a job after having children are getting free help to return to the workplace.
Bristol-based Women's Work Lab has been supporting women in the south west after extended career breaks.
It is now expanding the scheme to North Somerset, with 30 places being offered through the launch of a new project in Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon.
Before joining the scheme Kelly Hetreed had not worked for 11 years, adding she "had put 'me' on hold for too long".
BBC Online - Read the full article here
March 2021
Support for mums is “lifechanging”
A ground-breaking organisation is supporting hundreds of mums, who receive benefits, to get back into work. The organisation was set up in 2019.
The Sun - Read the full artice here
February 2021
These Mums rose back up like Phoenixes in their job share
Camilla Rigby and Rachel Mostyn, share the role of co-founder and co-ceo of the Women’s Work Lab CIC - which aims to support socially disadvantaged mothers, with little to no work experience, to find a career that works for them and their family.
Having faced their own challenges as working mothers, together they now help each other and other mothers.
Roleshare - Read the full article here…
November 2020
Breaking glass ceilings: Bristol’s women entrepreneurs
The Women’s Work Lab CIC supports unemployed mums aged 25+ and receiving benefits to become work ready. Our mums face challenges including domestic abuse, lone parenting, and children with SEN or home displacement.
Our bespoke classroom training, work placement and sponsorship programmes focus on building confidence, ambition and employability skills. We specialise in unlocking potential and laying the foundations for a brighter future. 2020 work placement partners include North Bristol NHS Trust, AXA PPP healthcare, Burges Salmon, Jacobs and the University of Bristol. …
Bristol Mayor’s blog - Read the full artice here
March 2020
Advocating for all women in business
The Women in Business charter advocates for all women to succeed in business. Read about the signatories and the impact.
Bristol 247 - Read the full article here
February 2020
UK city launches employment scheme to help mums get back to work
A new initiative to help disadvantaged and unemployed mums has launched in Bristol. The Women’s Work Lab is the first organisation of it’s kind.
Business Live - Read the full article here