A HAGLEY researcher is hoping to improve the support women over the age of 50 are offered when they find themselves looking for work.

Lorraine Johnson, a second year PhD student at the University of Warwick, is looking for women over 50 from across the region to take part in her research.

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

Lorraine’s research is a small-scale study investigating digital and face-to-face influences on older graduate level women looking for new work opportunities.

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

Lorraine said: “There has been massive cuts in the public sector across the country, and a number 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.

“In my research I want to know how women are using transition support services such as the Jobcentre Plus, if they are taking advantage of new technology, if the Government’s call for these women to work for longer is taking into account barriers such as age and sex discrimination and how the situation is impacting on families, particularly where partners have decided to retire.”

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