Free age-friendly employment workshops on offer in Wychavon and Malvern Hills

Wednesday, 02 March 2022

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Free help is on offer to companies to recruit and retain older workers as part of efforts to close the skills gap.

Malvern Hills District and Wychavon District Councils are working with award-winning consultancy Cherington HR, to deliver workshops to help businesses introduce age-friendly working practices.

Older workers are the fastest growing part of the workforce and recruiting and retaining them has many benefits. Not only do age-friendly policies help companies benefit from older workers' experience and skills, they also help their staff to balance caring responsibilities, personal health circumstances or make a phased transition to retirement.

The workshops are run by Helen Astill, who is well-known to many business leaders in the region as a member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Those attending will be given a free resource pack, and access to a comprehensive online resource hub, to help them develop an action plan and start making positive changes in their workplace.

They will also be offered free one-to-one follow-up meetings, either in person or by video conference, depending on their commitments, to provide additional support in implementing age-friendly policies.

The workshops are being held on:

Monday 21 March, 2pm-5pm, in The Council Chamber, Avenue Road, Malvern, WR14 3AF.
Tuesday 22 March, 2pm-5pm, in The Council Chamber, The Civic Centre, Pershore, WR10 1PT.

There are 40 places available and companies can book a free place by contacting Helen directly on 0330 175 6204 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The workshops form part of the Wychavon and Malvern Hills Upskilling Project, which has been given £283,000 from the Government's UK Community Renewal Fund.

Cllr Richard Morris, Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism on Wychavon District Council, said: "Having spent much of my career in business, I know the vital contribution that older employees can make, and the barriers they sometimes face, so I would encourage employers to take advantage of these free workshops and resources."

Cllr Daniel Walton, Executive Board Member for Economic Development and Tourism on Malvern Hills District Council, said: "Everyone has a role to play in the workforce and we're pleased to see the number of employers looking to review their practices and policies to ensure they're giving employees of all ages a fair chance."

Helen Astill, workshop organiser and Director of Cherington HR Ltd, said: "Older workers have so much to offer that recruiting and retaining them has never been more important. I want to help local businesses adopt their own age-friendly working practices through a package of support, starting with these free workshops."

Employers who are unable to attend either of the workshops are still welcome to access the free resources and one-to-one support by getting in touch with Helen.

Find more information about the Upskilling Project, and the support on offer, at www.malvernhills.gov.uk/skills or www.wychavon.gov.uk/business.