Liz’s project to help teens is recognised
8:57am Thursday 5th May 2011 in Business News
A Westhoughton woman is in line for a major international women’s award for helping people to find work.
Liz Douglas, from The Roots Project, is among the three finalists nominated for the Women’s Social Leadership Awards 2011 in the category Leader in the Workplace.
Ms Douglas set up the Roots Project single-handedly to help get kids of the streets in the Pungle estate, reduce vandalism and get people back into work.
It became so successful that she now runs mini Roots aimed at young people while the Roots Project concentrates on getting adults ready for the world of work.
In the process of making the project so successful she forged major links with Bolton Council and businesses such as Contour, a social housing organisation and construction companies Forrest and DLP Northern, who work in social housing projects.
They gave practical help, including cash and premises, to support Ms Douglas as she pushed the groundbreaking project forwards.
As recognition of the scheme’s success she has also been invited to speak to politicians in Westminster in June as part of the Prime Minister’s Big Society theme.
The 36 year-old said: “I am amazed to have got so far in this international award. It is good for the project and for Bolton that we are being recognised for the work we do here.
“I am proud to represent the UK but I was shocked when they told me that I was up for an international award. To be recognised as a social leader in international terms speaks volumes for the work we are doing here in Westhoughton and Bolton.”
Ms Douglas added: “I am thrilled to be acknowledged for all the hard work that has gone into The Roots Project, the social impact has been tremendous and many lives have been changed but this only comes with perseverance and overcoming all obstacles that are thrown in our way.”
The Roots Project has been so successful that she is now aiming to get 50 adults in the Pungle estate area off benefits and into work.
She added: “We are setting up training sessions to help with CV preparation, helping with education at home and personal development to help them when they do get jobs.”
Ms Douglas is competing against women who have made an impact in social schemes in South America for the international award, which will be announced on June 11 in London.
