U can 2 was a personal development programme designed by Strabane CWP to give women the confidence and skills to return to the world of work. U can 2 placed a particular emphasis on improving Maths, English and computer skills, but also included personal fitness, beauty therapy and confidence building elements.

The Partnership

In order to secure the funding necessary to deliver U can 2 Strabane & District Community Work Programme joined the ACCORD partnership led by Waterside Development Trust/CRESCO Trust. ACCORD contained groups from Strabane and Derry who had received funding from the EU under the EQUAL initiative to deliver programmes designed to improve the literacy, numeracy and employability of people in their areas. Strabane & District Community Work Programme were allocated approximately £50,000 to deliver U can 2.

Transnational

As well as organisations from Strabane and Derry, EQUAL funding also provided for a trans- national element to facilitate cooperation with organisations in other EU countries. ACCORDS trans-national partners were drawn from Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain. As part of the programme the Manager of Strabane & District Community Work Programme Niall Allen travelled to Dresden in the former East Germany to study community development and training programmes as operated in that region.

The Outcomes

U can 2 provided 12 women with the opportunity of benefiting from a travel allowance, subsistence allowance and childcare payments in order to take full advantage of each of the elements of the programme.

U can 2 proved to be both rewarding and successful with 10 of the 12 participants completing the full 22 week programme. In terms of outcomes two participants progressed to further training and obtained NVQ level 2 in Beauty Therapy, one progressed from the programme directly into employment and two others progressed to permanent employment after participating in further training. A further participant undertook a period of voluntary work while another remained in contact with Strabane & District Community Work Programme via other programmes for a further year until she also obtained full time employment.