March 2024

In this week's episode of The Nonprofit Bookkeeper, Ingrid Fawcett, Co-Founder of Midlife360 CIC explains the driving force behind the creation of this new social enterprise, emphasising the dual importance of societal impact and sustainable commercial viability.

Talking with Aishat Idris , Ingrid candidly shares the obstacles she and Co-Founder Sally Field encountered while establishing their venture and highlights the strategic utilisation of relationships for effective financial management.

Don't miss out on this insightful discussion for social enterprises. => The Nonprofit Bookkeeper

March 2024, Cambridge Independent

Midlife360 CIC, alongside The CPCA, Cambridge Ahead, and RAND Europe, gathered with key employers and stakeholders at The Guildhall to explore this pivotal question.

The team delved into the challenges faced by employers due to chronic labour shortages and the barriers hindering more midlife women from fully integrating into our workplaces.

The resounding answer is YES, and what's more the solutions are within reach.

Sally Field, Co-Founder of Midlife360, shared her own experiences of job hunting in midlife, which served as the impetus for creating this new Social Enterprise. She highlighted her confidence struggles at the time, the challenge of finding supportive employers in the region and lack of awareness of the valuable (and often free) training and opportunities available.

Be in no doubt there is a whole army of motivated women who want to re-enter the workforce, with some ready now and others ready to engage with Midlife360 CIC programs at their own pace. Ultimately, Midlife360 CIC will connect them with the great employers in this region who recognise and truly value the transferable skills they bring.

Through awareness, coaching, peer support, and simple adjustments, Midlife360 CIC has already demonstrated that sustainable and impactful change is achievable in this space.

Co-Founder Ingrid Fawcett shared the Midlife360 CIC vision: 'to transform the CPCA region into a place where every midlife woman thrives within a positive work culture,' and drew from examples where previously economically inactive women are now employed thanks to the team's support.

Whether you're a midlife woman seeking to enter, re-enter, or advance in the workplace, or an employer eager to tap into this talented pool, Midlife360 CIC is here to support you.

Our thanks go to Claire Paul, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, , Alex Rossiter, Dan Thorp, Sarah Parkinson, Neil 🍎🥦 Bharadwa, Jo Hodgson, Lucy Laing, Region of Learning, Allia, Martin Clark, Sue Walden, Sandra Bowden for their help in creating such an inspiring and informative event for all.

March, 2024 House of Lords : Charlotte Horobin CEO Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

A career highlight: Being very lucky to be invited to the launch of Women on Boards CIC®, but more so to have the privilege of taking a tribe that I fondly refer to as #TeamCambridgeshire to the UK House of Lords.

We were 18 strong in total representing Barnack Estates UK Ltd, Millrose, Midlife360 CIC, Evolve Your Future, The Jockey Club, PwC, The Shearline Group, eg technology Ltd, Katie Allen Consulting Limited, Azets, Rachel Nicholls, Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge, Inspire Education Group 🦾

Why was this so special, well we were very lucky to be hosted by Baroness Sandy Verma and heard a very pragmatic and personal address from Rt Hon Caroline Nokes, Chair Women and Equalities Committee.

But really, it was because the founders are pretty special people who wear their heart on their sleeves and lead with courage to enable positive change. It was a pleasure to finally meet Payal Walker and superb to be there cheering Sandra Wiggins on. Sandra Wiggins has over the years positively challenged me, to ensure the voice of business is a balanced and representative one. No soft talk, pragmatic, to the point and always supportive #weneedmoresandras.

Thank you both for allowing Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce and our amazing community be a part of this special launch, the beginning of positive change to come 🙏

March, 2024

In March 2024, Midlife360 CIC proudly received the 2024 BIPC Jumpstart Silver Award*. This financial support will be allocated towards the creation of a new website aimed at uniting our communities of midlife women and employers, catalysing positive change within our region. We invite you to stay tuned as these pages evolve in the coming weeks.

We extend our gratitude to the BIPC team and the panel of judges who meticulously reviewed our business proposal, engaged with our presentation, and demonstrated confidence in our ability to effect meaningful change.

*for the region encompassing Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, and Peterborough City Council

August, 2023

RAND Europe and Cambridge Ahead publish the CPCA commissioned report - Employment and age in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area, local evidence about workers aged 50 and over.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people aged 50+ left the workforce at a high rate in the UK, and employment rates have not yet recovered. These trends led to concerns around the health, wellbeing and quality of life of these individuals after leaving the workforce, along with questions about the overall labour supply and economy in the UK and the ability of employers to recruit and retain workers with relevant skills. Although there has been national evidence around workers aged 50+, there is limited evidence available for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area that can be used to inform decisions around how to support workers as they age.

Key Findings:

• There is a trend towards an ageing workforce, despite a dip in participation of workers aged 50+ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some challenges faced by people aged 50+ either participating in the workforce or looking to join it included:

• Risk of poor health and disability, which can create challenges working in certain roles, particularly where jobs are physically demanding.

• Risk of poor health and disability, which can create challenges working in certain roles, particularly where jobs are physically demanding.

• Real and perceived skills gaps among workers aged 50+, particularly around technology, also affect workplace and job seeking experiences, although it is important to note that these are not universal.

• Age-based discrimination and a lack of age-friendly cultures exist in some workplaces, particularly in terms of offering career development and training opportunities to workers aged 50+.

• However, this study also identified support that may be helpful for people aged 50+ to continue working for longer, such as targeted training courses, health and social care service intervention, and having supportive employers.

• Workers in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area experience many of the same challenges as the wider population in the UK. However, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area has a high degree of socioeconomic and health-related inequality. This influences who is able to afford retirement in the local area, the conditions in which people work and the challenges that they face outside of work that affect their ability to participate in the labour market. In addition, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area has a number of new and emerging industries which tend to require specialised skills, particularly relating to technology. Some people aged 50+ may not have these skills or may not be perceived to have these skills. Therefore, opportunities to re-skill or up-skill may be important for those people aged 50+ wanting to work in those industries.