The document describes two projects - Network to Work and Keen2Cater - that received ESF grants to help unemployed individuals. Network to Work connected 13 unemployed women to an existing network of organizations and employers through workshops and mentors. 7 participants gained employment. Keen2Cater provided work experience in a restaurant to 15 unemployed individuals over 9 weeks, helping them gain skills and confidence for employment in the hospitality industry. Both projects leveraged existing resources and networks to pilot cost-effective programs that addressed local needs.

2. Existing cross-sector network of
women– SMEs, education, local
government, health, arts, charities
Unemployed women who were
isolated and not able to access
wider networks and ‘hidden’
opportunities
Sought to connect them to our
network and get to know local
employers and organisations

3. ESF Communities Grant of
£12k funded pilot Network to
Work project
Thirteen unemployed women
wanting to work or become
self-employed but isolated
through unemployment
Programme included
workshops, mentors from our
network, workplace visits

4. Initial evaluation –
Feedback from participants - support and interaction was
lifeline – most were despondent and feeling hopeless or
frustrated; morale boost, confidence regained
7 got full or part time employment during or shortly after
3 took significant steps towards self-employment

5. Keen2Cater Cinque Ports Community Kitchen CIC

6. Saw a need – young parents
desperate for work but no
confidence or experience
Keen2Cater – 9 weeks for 15
unemployed women and
men
Experience roles in
hospitality industry;
practice and try out skills;
work experience in our
restaurant and with local
employers
Funded with £8.5k ESF grant
Keen2Cater Cinque Ports Community Kitchen CIC

7. • Both take advantage of an existing asset – a mature
network; a restaurant business
• But as new social enterprise organisations no real track
record so difficult to access funding
• Both projects are experimental, pilots
• Both needed small grants - £8k - £12k; cost-effective,
minimal overheads
• Both developed around the needs and aspirations and
with the involvement of the beneficiaries
• Both grassroots - we all live and work in the same
community; are able to respond to what we see and
hear, develop ideas with participants
Keen2Cater
What have the two projects got in common?

8. • Benefits to the CICs - both projects build our capacity
to design and deliver relevant initiatives;
• Strengthen the original assets for further benefit –
Network to Work extended our relationships with
employers and organisations; Keen2Cater enabled us
to initiate our social impact activities very quickly
• Support from Rural Kent to present coherent proposals
and manage the administration and reporting
processes;
• Both projects became a stepping stone to possible
Lifelong Learning projects
• Both projects leave informal legacies – continued
networking and support for beneficiaries
• Would not have happened without ESF funding
Keen2Cater