Key Points
- London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is offering a free 12-session career development programme for residents aged over 40.
- The course, delivered with charity Room for Work, will run in Hampton Wick from 2 February to 17 March 2026.
- Participants must register with Richmond Work Match to access one-to-one mentoring, coaching and employability training.
A free career development programme for Richmond upon Thames residents aged over 40 will begin in Hampton Wick in February, offering structured support to skilled workers seeking to re-enter the labour market, change careers or adapt to a shifting jobs landscape, according to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
What support is being offered to Richmond residents through this free programme?
According to a council announcement titled “Free career support for Richmond residents”, the local authority is working with employability charity Room for Work to deliver a 12-session programme aimed at skilled workers aged 40 and over who have previous work experience in roles ranging from administrative to managerial positions.
The council states that the programme is designed to help participants “reconnect [their] strengths with today’s job market” and prepare for the next stage in their working lives, including for those considering a complete career change.
As reported by council communications staff of London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, the initiative forms part of the borough’s wider employment and skills support offer delivered through its Work Match service.
How will the sessions work and what will participants learn?
Reporting by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames states that the course will run from 2 February to 17 March 2026, with sessions taking place every Monday and Tuesday from 10.30am to 1pm at The Warehouse, St John’s Hampton Wick, on Church Grove, postcode KT1 4AL.
According to the council’s December 2025 and January 2026 news updates, the programme will cover practical employability skills including how to identify “hidden jobs”, write an effective curriculum vitae, master competency-based interviews and use LinkedIn to promote professional experience.
The council further reports that participants will be supported to build confidence in presenting their skills, activate and use their personal and professional networks, and explore options for self-employment where appropriate.
What one-to-one support and follow-up will be available?
The council announcement explains that, in addition to group sessions, participants will have access to tailored one-to-one mentoring and follow-up coaching delivered by experienced professionals.
According to the local authority, this personalised support is intended to help residents translate learning from the workshops into concrete job search strategies, applications or decisions about next steps in their careers.
Who is eligible and how does this fit into wider employment support in Richmond?
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames states that the free programme is open to borough residents aged over 40 who are skilled workers with previous work experience, and who are either looking for work, returning to employment or seeking a new direction in mid-life.
To enrol, residents are required to register with Richmond Work Match, the council-run employment support service that connects local people with job and training opportunities.
Separate reporting by local outlet Twickenham Nub News on Richmond Work Match describes it as a free service that links residents with local employers, helps boost skills and supports people into long-term, good-quality jobs close to home.
According to that coverage, more than 1,000 residents have been supported into training and sustainable local jobs through Richmond Work Match since its launch, and the service plays a central role in the borough’s long-term employment strategy.
Why is the council focusing on residents over 40 and mid-career workers?
While the council announcement on the Hampton Wick programme does not provide detailed commentary on policy aims, its emphasis on skilled workers over 40 suggests a focus on residents who may face particular barriers when changing careers or re-entering the workforce after redundancy, caring responsibilities or other breaks.
According to wider reporting on Richmond Work Match’s activities, the service has been positioned by the council as a way to ensure that residents of different ages and backgrounds can access roles in growth sectors across south-west London, including health and care, digital technology and the green economy.
What are the next steps for residents interested in the Hampton Wick course?
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames advises that residents who want to join the free career support programme must first register with Richmond Work Match, after which they can sign up for the course scheduled at The Warehouse in Hampton Wick.
According to the council, places will enable participants to attend all 12 sessions across February and March 2026 and to benefit from both the group workshops and one-to-one mentoring and follow-up coaching on offer.
The authority’s news updates indicate that this initiative sits alongside other health, skills and community programmes being promoted in late 2025 and early 2026, forming part of a broader effort to support residents’ wellbeing, employability and long-term prospects.
Based on the verified information published by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and local media reporting on Richmond Work Match, the free Hampton Wick programme represents a targeted attempt to help mid-career residents adjust to a changing labour market and pursue new opportunities in 2026.
