Smart Works – what does this charity do? We were curious.
Initially, we asked for a speaker, but instead were invited to their Reading branch. As well as learning about what they do, we were also able to see their comprehensive stock of clothing, much of it donated by retail partners.
They work with unemployed women to enable them to find a job. Clients are referred to Smart Works by organisations such as the Jobcentre. They provided the following summary of their work.
“Smart Works is a UK charity that provides women with the clothing, coaching and
confidence they need to succeed in interviews and get the job. In the past decade, we have
opened 11 centres across the UK and helped more than 30,000 women ahead of their
interviews. We are proud that 69% of clients get the job within a month of their appointment.
Since opening in 2015 Smart Works Reading has helped 1750 women across Berkshire
ahead of their interviews.
“At the core of our charity sits an Interview Dressing and Preparation Service designed to
help our clients feel the best version of themselves before their interviews. Every woman
who comes to Smart Works receives a complete outfit, free of charge and hers to keep, as
well as a one-to-one interview coaching session.
“We are guided by data to deliver simple, profound and tangible results, constantly innovating
to tackle the challenge of unemployment. It is our mission to ensure that all women who
need our help are able to access our service, and in April 2022, we launched our ambitious
Three-Year Plan to double the number of women we support annually. By 2025 we will help
10,000 women a year across the UK.”
For more information, visit https://smartworks.org.uk/