Marks & Start
Launched in 2004, Marks & Start is our work experience programme for the homeless, disabled, lone parents and young unemployed.
Why Marks & Start?
As Part of our Plan A Fair Partner commitments we want to make the communities we work in better places to live, and Marks & Start helps us do this. For the people taking part, working as part of a team can really boost confidence and ‘employability’ – currently 40% of our adult participants go on to get a job.
Our 1,000 or so employees who act as buddies or coaches find Marks & Start enormously rewarding too. And it helps M&S with both recruitment and employee development, so everyone wins.
How it works
Every year 650 people go through the programme which involves a two or four week placement, usually in stores but occasionally offices too. In addition to structured training, participants have the day-to-day support of a coach and a buddy. Travel expenses, free meals and a reference are also part of the package.
Who our partners are
We work directly with DisabledGo, Business Action on Homelessness, Gingerbread and The Prince’s Trust
Through our partners we also work with 160 other charities and voluntary organisations.
Who do we help?
Read case studies of people who have been through the programme >>
Contacts
To find out how you can get involved in Marks & Start contact one of our charity partners:
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