A HAGLEY researcher is still on the hunt for women over the age 50 who have worked in the public sector to take part in her study.

Lorraine Johnson, a PhD student at the University of Warwick, is hoping to improve the support middle aged women are offered when they find themselves looking for work.

After an earlier appeal in the News, a number of women came forward to help Lorraine’s study, but she is still three people short on hitting her research target.

She is hoping to find ladies who are currently seeking work following sector cuts, as well as local women who are planning their exit or have already left the sector.

Lorraine hopes her findings will inform policy, as well as aid the development and enhancement of existing Government support services.

She said: “I had a great response when I asked for participants a few months ago, but I need three more people to take part in the data collection.

“With the massive cuts in the public sector, especially in the recent climate, many of those people who have been let go are women over the age of 50.

“These women are now struggling to gain work and I want to see if there is more the Government can do to help support these women.”

The research will involve willing participants to be interviewed face-to-face for a minimum of three times by Lorraine, or once if they have already made a recent work transition.

To take part in the study, contact Lorraine by calling 07856 202421 or email l.s.johnson@warwick.ac.uk