When it comes to job interviews, many of us find it difficult to perform at our best and often struggle with nerves or stress. Smart Works is a national charity that harnesses the power of clothes and coaching to give unemployed women the confidence to succeed. We’re proud to support this fantastic organisation by donating clothes and accessories to their Newcastle centre.
Committed to giving back
We recently made a donation of 15 large bags/suitcases of clothes and accessories to Smart Works Newcastle. All the items were kindly given by our people and we’re delighted to see them going to such a great cause. The charity has supported over 300 local women this year and 67% get the job after visiting.
Our Director of HR, Jane Austin, and Health and Safety Manager, Stephanie Morris, met Helen Boyd from Smart Works Newcastle to drop everything off.
Jane said: “We’re passionate about helping people be the best they can be. It’s a privilege to help Smart Works continue the amazing work they do in equipping unemployed women to go on and find a job. I’ve provided interview guidance to people in need, but Smart Works takes this to another level. Giving an interview outfit to someone who might not be able to buy new clothing, and then to offer interview coaching, can be life changing. Quite simply, Smart Works makes the world a better place."
Read more about what we do to support the community here.
The team at Smart Works Newcastle explained how our donation will help: "We really appreciate every single item given to us and would like to thank Wave for their generous donation. We’re in constant need of high-quality clothes, shoes and accessories to help women feel their best and make that crucial first impression. The items donated by Wave will aid our clients in moving on with their lives by becoming self-sufficient through employment.”
If you'd like to support Smart Works Newcastle, you can donate to their Christmas Kindness campaign to help give more women the inspiration they need for a fresh start in 2020.
More about Smart Works
Smart Works provides high-quality interview clothes and interview training for unemployed women who often lack confidence in their abilities. The service helps give clients the self-belief and practical tools they need to succeed at their job interview.
Each client has a personalised styling session with two volunteer stylists and receives a complete outfit to keep. Then a one-to-one coaching session with an experienced HR professional or senior manager helps them prepare for their interview. Once a client is successful, they come back for a second dressing to receive more clothes as a ‘working wardrobe’ to see them through until they get paid.
The women who Smart Works helps are usually referred from organisations like job centres, prisons, homeless centres and mental health charities. Half have been unsuccessful in over 20 applications, and a third have been unsuccessful in more than 50.
The charity has supported over 11,000 women and has a tangible impact on their journey back to work. Over 94% of clients reported that a visit to Smart Works significantly increased their confidence in succeeding at their job interview.
Smart Works has a team of more than 350 trained volunteers across the UK. Headquartered in North London, there are another six centres in West London, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester, Reading, Birmingham and Newcastle (which opened in April 2018). An eighth centre opened in Leeds in November 2019.
Find out more about Smart Works
By Will N. | 16 December 2019
