Bread & Roses

read & Roses delivers workshops which provide advice and guidance in the area of employability for refugee and asylum seeking women. In a context where many women suffer from poor emotional well-being and low self-esteem, however, it is not only practical support that is needed, so we also run floristry workshops. These workshops provide a relaxed, sociable space where women can be creative, and often lead to conversations which help us to identify other areas in which programme participants may need support. This holistic approach to working with women gives them a better chance of securing and maintaining jobs, therefore reducing the isolating effects, both social and financial, of unemployment. And the benefits of the floristry are not only therapeutic, as the flowers made in workshops are sold to local businesses. The money made from the sale of our beautiful flowers goes directly back to the women who arranged them, helping them with the cost of attending interviews and gaining qualifications.