Smart Works Newcastle have reached a milestone success – supporting 1000 women since opening in April 2018.
Describing themselves as ‘deceptively simple’ Smart Works Newcastle provide unemployed women with a two-hour appointment to prepare them for interview. Volunteer stylists help women find an interview outfit they feel confident in (which is free and theirs to keep) whilst experienced interview coaches provide an hour of one to one coaching covering; answering difficult questions, explaining gaps in your CV and overcoming nerves.
This brief but significant intervention has a monumental impact with 74% of women securing employment within 1 month of visiting Smart Works Newcastle.
One such woman who has benefited from service is Sarah* who visited Smart Works Newcastle back in 2021 ahead of not one but two interviews as a Care Assistant. Within a few hours Sarah was offered both positions and attributes her increased confidence to the support of Smart Works Newcastle “I had zero confidence when I came to Smart Works Newcastle and I instantly felt like I was worth something and that I could [get the job]. I was treated with respect and dignity and best of all felt amazing. Thank you so much.”.
Centre Manager Helen Boyd says “Here at Smart Works Newcastle we are delighted we have reached our 1000th client milestone. Knowing we have supported 1000 individual women by providing interview clothing and coaching is a fantastic achievement given we only opened 4 years ago. This would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers, trustees, and staff team.
Given the ambitious plans to double the number of women we support we look forward transforming the lives of more North East women.”