This project was funded with support from the European Commission

1. Results of Belfast (Northern Ireland -UK) Experimentation This project was funded with support from the European Commission

2. Belfast PowerPac - Why PowerPac Methodology is Innovative • Most of the Women had already engaged with EBE but we were limited in assistance we could offer (professional business advice service which doesn’t delve into personal aspects often hindering success) • PowerPac provided an innovative approach to assisting women to access meaningful employment/self employment by taking a holistic method of supporting women by exploring the three themes • In current economic climate self employment is very viable alternative to employment and the PowerPac methodology allowed us to exploit this for people who normally would not consider it or didn’t have self belief to follow this path

3. Elements of Belfast PowerPac • PowerPac ran between June 2011 – September 2012 • PowerPac addressed three main themes on both an individual & group basis: • Career & Employability • Health & Wellbeing • Involvement in Community Life

4. One to One Activities • These sessions were as often or irregular as participants required and focus on issues specific to that individual across the three theme, taken by EBE staff or external consultants such as counsellors, life coaches and social workersaccording to need. • These meetings addressed issues within a particular theme relevant to the individual: • Where are you now? • Where do you want to go? • Developing an action plan to get there • Base line synopsis of personal situation taken at start and also at review session at end to monitor progress.

5. Group Activities • An important part of the programme is the sharing of experiences between the participants and as such there were a range of group activities facilitated • These activities include: • Training Sessions (inc themes such as women and their perceptions of Power, Money and Time) • Topical information sessions (on topics of interest chosen by participants across the three themes) • Speech Groups • Overnight Residential

6. Training Sessions • Work Shops on Women & Their Perception of Following: • Time • Money • Power • Delivered by Qualified Life Coach as Internally Didn’t Feel Equipped to Deal with These Very Personal Topics

7. Group Sessions – Career & Employability • These activities included: • Use of Social Media for Employment & Self Employment • Jewellery Making Workshop as showcase to how to successfully make money from a hobby • Networking & Selling Yourself Successfully • Sources of Support for Employment

8. Group Sessions – Health & Wellbeing • These activities included: • Successful Work Life Balance for Mothers • Dietary Advice • Building Your Confidence Through Your Vocal Projection • Image Consultation – Confidence Through Appearance

9. Group Sessions – Community Involvement • These activities included: • Fundraiser for Meningitis – Community Jumble Sale • Get Involved – Charity Showcase • Charity Walk for Cancer Focus & Cash for Kids

10. Residential • Idyllic setting at National Trust 800 Acre Property • Objective: Get Away From Everyday Stresses of Life • Activities included: • Use of Neurolinguistic Programming to Boost Confidence • Creating & Maintaining Successful Relationships • Body Rolling Class • Dress with Confidence • Evening Massage Demonstration

11. Case Study – Cathy McMenemy • About: • 55 years old, separated (result of abusive relationship), long term unemployed, born with spina bifida, suffered mental health issues as result of wrong dismissal after 34 years with same employer • Participation: • Took part in training sessions, speech groups, one to ones and residential. • Result: • Increased confidence, feels overcame a lot of barriers now empowered to search for work and in meantime volunteer to rebuild skills

12. Case Study – Cathy McMenemy • I really enjoyed taking part in the PowerPac programme it gave me a real confidence boost and sense of belonging… the one to one’s helped me address many of the problems holding me back and come up with rationale answers that made me no longer feel alone and unable to cope… I couldn’t find any fault in any part of the programme and am very happy I had the chance to participate I feel more equipped to get back into the world of work as a result maybe even in a voluntary capacity.

13. Case Study – Tineke Kroes • About: • Originally from Holland, husband works away, children grown up, just finished a Masters, part time self employed. • Participation: • Took part in thematic sessions, speech groups, one to ones, charity walk and residential. • Result: • Inspired to move forward in development of her business and use skills acquired in Masters, take better care of health and wellbeing, recover time for self and become more involved at community level.

14. Case Study – Tineke Kroes • The thing I really enjoyed about all of the PowerPac events was that there was such a variety of women from different backgrounds, who all had the same common goal of learning, progressing and meeting new people… Originally I am from Holland, but have been living in Northern Ireland for the last 5 years – being on the PowerPac programme helped me to meet new people and share experiences, which ultimately made me feel a little bit more involved in the community around me… Overall, it was really nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and meet people who have supported me and given me the courage and self belief to progress my business by using my newly gained social and professional skills.