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Marks & Start is Marks & Spencer’s work experience programme for those who are homeless, disabled, single parents and young unemployed.

Every year 650 people complete the programme which involves a two or four week placement in a store or office. In addition to training, participants have the day-to-day support of a coach and a buddy. Travel expenses, free meals and a reference are also a part of the programme. In 2010 the company began running employability workshops for prisoners in Send women’s prison to give participants the confidence and skills to re-join the labour market.

Participants in Marks & Start are identified by the charity partners who specialise in social work with the key groups. The partners are the Prince’s Trust (young unemployed); DisabledGo (people with disabilities); Business Action on Homelessness (the homeless); and One Parent Families and Parentline Plus through their wholly-owned joint venture Family Business (parents returning to work).