A LOCAL mother and recruitment expert has launched a community initiative to support struggling parents in the Island.
Denise Heavey launched MentorHood Jersey earlier this year after feeling let down by a system that she says is “punishing parents” and forcing them to choose between accessing childcare and career developement.
Describing the motivations behind the project in a podcast with JEP sister site Bailiwick Podcasts, Ms Heavey said through her occupation, she witnesses “a lot of parents who are struggling”.
It comes after the inadequacy and unaffordability of childcare in the Island is proving a barrier to parents getting back into the workforce and having further children.
“I see many parents who are in good jobs, or maybe sometimes working two jobs, who are struggling, and want to look at how we could help them up-skill,” she said.
Describing the difficulty for many, mums specifically, of getting back into the workplace after becoming a parent.
“These people are intelligent and have a great skillset but they’ve never had the opportunities to grow and their confidence is completely gone,” she continued.
“I would like to see more choice given to parents.”
Describing parenting as “a hidden workforce”, she said MentorHood Jersey will aim to build better environments and access for mums and dads in Jersey by sharing their experiences with workplaces and government.
“We’re trying to enable their voices to be heard,” Ms Heavey added.
Earlier this year, a Scrutiny sub-panel was set up to gain a better understanding of the impact of Jersey’s family friendly legislation on families and businesses.
MentorHood Jersey will be offering monthly workshops for parents to access advice and a support network if they are stuggling with certain aspects of parenting, including finances, wellbeing and work-life balance.
A podcast with the recruitment Ms Heavey and MentorHood supporter, Freeda chief executive Kate Wright, launches today on Bailiwick Podcasts.
Listen for free by using the QR code or you can access the episode on Spotify.
