Who Is New Futures For?

The New Futures Employability Programme is available nationally and is specifically designed for people who are parenting alone and want to get support to take the next steps into education or work but are not sure where to start.

The New Futures Employability Programme Provides

  • Personal Development: The New Futures programme focuses on personal growth and building self-confidence. It covers various topics, including communication skills, stress management, and goal setting. On commencing the New Futures Employability Programme all we ask from our participants is a commitment to be open to the learning and challenges and embrace all the wraparound supports available to them.
  • Employment Support: Participants develop job-seeking skills by creating and updating CVs, preparing for interviews, and accessing job opportunities. They are also online workshops provided on key topics.
  • Individualised Support: Participants will have regular one-to-one sessions with a support worker and together you will work on an individual action plan where you will identify your goals, explore career and education options and how to pursue them.
  • Wraparound Family Support: Participants can access one-to-one parent mentoring and laptop loans and receive subsidies for childcare and travel.

Next course

We are now enrolling for in-person classes of New Futures in Dublin city center, starting in September 2025.

We will also be offering an online version of classes for those who can’t attend in person.

Please contact Niamh Wynne for more information.
Email: nwynne@onefamily.ie
Phone: 01 662 9212

Contact us to learn more

Hear From Our Participants

“Since completing the New Futures Programme, I have experienced a tremendous transformation in my personal and professional life. Not only have I acquired new skills and knowledge, but I have also gained a renewed sense of confidence and self-belief in myself.”

“Taking the “New Futures” course was like a breath of fresh air. It was perfect for what I needed at this point in my life as my children are older now. All the women that were attending the course on zoom were very kind-hearted and so supportive as we were all in the same boat, going through very similar life experiences and most importantly we all felt somewhat lesser to what we were worth.”

“I have to admit I did not expect the course to entail what it did! I can honestly say it has been life changing for me and what I have learnt doing this course will stay with me forever! I have learnt so much about myself, we explored our beliefs and values and what is important to us. We explored how we were thinking and feeling and how we were talking to ourselves. We were reminded of who we are as individuals and not just as parents. We were reminded of all our achievements, even the little things we do that we don’t give a second thought to that mean so much and make a difference. I began to feel really proud of myself and everything I had achieved in my life so far, which gave me confidence and self-worth I had been missing for so long!”

Click here  to read more about what our participants say.

New Futures Can Change Lives

“I’m so glad that I decided to do the New Futures course. I initially received the information about the course through an email and applied on a whim. After that I doubted my decision and tried to talk myself out of doing it. The thought of doing a course became overwhelming.

Thankfully Muire called me and arranged a Zoom call (more panic) but once I got over the nerves of the Zoom call, Muire put me at ease immediately. She was so positive and gave so much encouragement that I signed up for the course. From that moment onwards the support from everyone at New Futures was amazing. They support you every step of the way and helped me through every wobble (there were a few). The thoughts of doing a course through Zoom filled me with dread but honestly it was so good.

It was lovely to be able to meet and chat with other lone parents who are going through similar struggles as me. I was feeling stuck after many years at home and not sure how to go about returning to work/education, etc. The course work not only offers practical help with those issues, writing a CV, doing a mock interview, but also focuses so much on helping you see that the years at home have provided you with invaluable skills. Lots of the course is aimed at improving self-confidence and esteem.

The course work itself is so well laid out and delivered in a very manageable way, I never found it too much. We also had 1:1 mentor sessions offered to us and Niamh was amazing every week, giving support, genuine encouragement and positivity all the time. I honestly can’t recommend the course enough. It’s really helped me take those daunting first steps to returning to work/education.”

Nadine, New Futures e-course, 2025

Our Funders