In this episode of Just Beyond the CV, Rich Howell speaks with Camilla and Rachel, founders of The Women’s Work Lab, about the human stories, barriers and potential often hidden behind a career gap.

Together, they explore why so many women want to work but are held back by confidence, childcare, housing, mental health, domestic abuse, single parenting and systems that often demand quick results from  complex lives.

Camilla and Rachel share how The Women’s Work Lab was built by, with and for mums, supporting unemployed mothers through confidence-building, community, work experience and long-term support. They discuss the importance of transferable skills, why motherhood develops essential workplace strengths, and how businesses can recruit more inclusively.

This is a powerful conversation about identity, confidence, purpose, resilience, and why helping one mum back into work can change the future of an entire family.