Preston’s Sahara Centre given funding boost to help women into work

Sue Little, Community Engagement Officer, PCC Peter Griffiths, Programme Manager PCC Cllr Zafar Coupland. Pic: PCC

A new programme of support and skills training for women from Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) communities across Preston has been commissioned.

The Sahara Centre, based in Fishwick, has been offered the new programme and funding boost as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme, aimed at enhancing employability in Preston.

The team at the centre deliver a range of courses from IT classes to CV writing and confidence building.

Those involved in the programme will be able to receive one-on-one support from tutors, and access job fairs and volunteering opportunities so they are equipped to apply for employment.

Councillor Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building said: “We know what an enormous difference it makes when you can find and secure work and even more so for women from Black and Ethnic Minority communities.

“It can offer financial independence, enhance their status within their families and communities, and improve their quality of life.

“Sahara has a proven track record in this field, and we look forward to working with them over the next couple of years.”

The Sahara Centre has been supporting BME women in Preston for over 30 years, but has been able to increase their focus on employability skills after a range of funding.

Recently, they have been able to help more than 1,000 women become employed and achieve financial independence.

Councillor Zafar Coupland said: “We are excited to deliver this programme to help even more women locally.

“Using our expertise, community links, and relationships with employers, we are confident that we can continue to support more BME South Asian women to access employment opportunities through this programme.”

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