WOW helps women develop the skills, knowledge, confidence and experience they need to move closer to fairly paid and sustainable employment.

We work with women who face recognised barriers to work, who are at risk of long term unemployment, and who want to work.

Our approach is based on a coaching model. Our clients work one to one with their own personal coach to create a tailored programme of confidence building, skills development, work placements and childcare.

As well as working individually, group sessions allow clients to expand their support networks and develop team working skills.

We provide ongoing support for as long as is needed to help our clients move towards their employment goals – on a one-to-one basis, and through our alumni and mentoring programmes, interview brokering, and motivational workshops.

WOW recently completed a six month strategic review, which included extensive consultation with clients to find out what we do well, and what we can improve. Outputs from the review include a new set of strategic priorities, which you can download here, and a new service delivery model, which you can download here.

We have a 22 year track record of success, and are the only organisation in Edinburgh (and in Scotland) that provides employability services exclusively for vulnerable women.

What we believe

  • that fairly paid work is the best way out of poverty for women and their families;
  • that women face unique barriers to work as a result of gender inequalities;
  • that the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution through work is  a cornerstone of human well being;
  • that confidence is the key enabler on to an employment pathway;
  • that lasting change can only be achieved through a client-centred approach.

Our funders

We are hugely grateful to the following funders, who make our work possible:

  • the Scottish Government Equality Fund
  • the Big Lottery Investing in Communities Fund
  • the City of Edinburgh Council Challenge Fund
  • the Russell Trust
  • the Lloyds TSB Henry Duncan Awards
  • the Moffat Charitable Trust, and
  • the Volant Trust

If you are interested in supporting our work and would like to find out more, please contact us.