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.

What Is New Futures?

Personal Development and Career Planning with Support

The New Futures Employability Programme is a part-time personal & career development programme that explores two key modules in Personal & Interpersonal Development and Career Planning. The overall aim of the New Futures programme is to empower individuals in one-parent families to overcome barriers, improve their prospects, and achieve their educational and employment goals. It equips participants with the necessary tools and support to create a positive future for themselves and their families.

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.

Course Content

Please note: The contents are subject to change depending on the needs of each group.

Module 1 – Personal and Interpersonal Development

  • Personal and Interpersonal Skills
  • Who Am I? Explore the Sense of Self
  • Self-Esteem & Confidence
  • Clear & Direct Communication
  • Managing Needs & Emotions

Module 2 – Career Planning

  • Prior Skills
  • Exploring the Labour Market and applying for Jobs and Courses
  • Goals & Action Planning
  • Decision Making
  • Revisiting & Finalising My Action Plan

Course Delivery

From February -May 2025, the New Futures Employability Programme will be available as an online e-learning programme or through live Zoom classes two mornings per week from February-June 2025. There are at least twenty places available on each programme.

Facilitated New Steps Zoom classes start from May 2025 for those who need some additional support before starting the New Futures Programme commencing in September or November 2025.

If you are interested in either the New Steps or the New Futures Employability programmes or would just like to learn more, complete the enquiry form here and we will get back to you shortly.

We also intend to return to face-to-face classroom delivery of our programmes in Dublin city centre from September 2025.

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

New Futures – Jenny’s Story

“I was full of fear about the future as a lone parent. I was very set in my beliefs about the way people saw me.

I signed up for the ‘New Futures’ personal development course for lone parents with One Family, to help build myself back up. This course helped me open my mind and gave me the confidence and motivation I needed to move forward.

New Futures helped me lose my fear of change. I’m no longer afraid because I now know what I want to do and that I will achieve it once I put in the effort.”

– Jenny, a lone parent

New Futures Employability – Kadija’s Story

Kadija came to Ireland for a better life, but her initial experience was quite the opposite. She was really scared and felt she could not trust anyone, which affected her self-esteem and confidence.

She registered for our New Futures Programme, a free part-time course for lone parents that helps  with personal and career development. She started to make changes in her life. She gained the confidence she wanted and improved her self-esteem. She started to feel like the open, caring and friendly person she was before. Kadija can now take care of her son and feel confident in the decisions she makes for her family.

It’s thanks to your support that we can deliver programmes like New Futures to help single parents like Kadija

Our Funders