Small steps, big change: how digital skills are opening doors for women

By Tan Lay, Multimedia Storyteller, The Bread and Butter Thing

At The Bread and Butter Thing, around 80% of our members are women. Many are juggling work, caring responsibilities, health challenges and tight household budgets, often all at once. We know that access to affordable food helps relieve pressure in the short term, but real change also comes from creating pathways that support confidence, skills and opportunity over the longer term.

Back in May 2023, we partnered with the Stop Hunger Foundation to launch the Empowering Conversations programme. The aim was simple but ambitious: to support women from lower income backgrounds to explore education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities that could improve their lives, their families’ futures and the resilience of their communities.

Over the past three years the programme has supported women who were often feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what their next step might look like. Many told us that while financial pressures were significant, the deeper challenge was a lack of confidence, limited access to resources and not knowing where to start. Through targeted support, mentoring and signposting, women have been able to take those first small steps.

For some, that meant enrolling on digital skills courses and building confidence with computers and online services. Jen*, who attends our hub at Gorton Library, completed a computer skills course delivered by Manchester City Council’s digital team, helping her feel more confident navigating everyday technology.

At our Gorse Hill hub, Awa* took part in an Empowering Women digital skills course before continuing her learning through several employability programmes. These included Pause to Power and Proper Progress with Proper Job, accessed through the LAB (Learn, Achieve, Believe) Project. She was also signposted to careers advice and further employment support from Trafford council.

Meanwhile, Fatima*, who attended the hub at St Luke’s Church, completed a digital skills course at Stockport College. She has since gone on to become an English teacher at Didsbury Mosque, using her skills to support others in her community.

These are not overnight transformations. They are gradual changes built on encouragement, trust and opportunity. But they matter.

Digital skills in particular have proved to be a powerful catalyst. For women who may have previously felt excluded from the online world, learning how to navigate digital tools opens up access to job applications, training opportunities, services and information that many of us take for granted.

What these stories show us is that small steps can lead to big change.

When women gain confidence, build skills and increase their independence, the impact extends far beyond the individual. Families benefit. Children see new possibilities. Communities become stronger and more connected.

At The Bread and Butter Thing, food is often the starting point for that journey, but it is never the end of the story. Our hubs bring people together in trusted local spaces where support services, training and opportunities can reach people who might otherwise remain hidden.

The Empowering Conversations programme has shown what is possible when organisations work together to support women in practical, meaningful ways. By creating pathways into education, training and employment, we are helping women take the next step towards greater stability and opportunity.

And sometimes, that next step starts with something as simple as learning how to turn on a computer.

*Name changed for privacy