We’re over the moon to share that our network of 40+ volunteers has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025.

Over the eight years we’ve been up and running, we’ve established and grown a community of incredible volunteers from all walks of life. Along the way, they’ve brought with them invaluable knowledge and skills. It’s their passion and generosity that drive them to share this expertise with women across the North East ultimately giving them the confidence to navigate an increasingly competitive job market.

With the North East having the highest unemployment rates in the country, and figures continuing to rise nationally. In addition to rising cost of living and the increase of child poverty. Our service is needed now more than ever. Employment is a vital contribution to not only the wellbeing of women and children in our region but our local economy too. We understand there is still many women, who don’t know there is help of our calibre out there. This recognition has the potential to make us even more visible across the North East, so we can reach those women effectively, which we are incredibly grateful for.

Helen Boyd, Head of Smart Works North East shares: I am beyond excited that Smart Works North East has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. The Smart Works service simply could not exist without our volunteers who give time, skill and empathy so that our clients get the best possible support.  I’m so pleased their dedication, work and commitment is being recognised in such a brilliant way, never has an award been so deserved.

68% of the women we support secure a job within a month of visiting us, and 97% feel more confident in their ability to succeed at job interviews after their appointment.

These impactful results wouldn’t exist without the hard work, compassion, and commitment of our volunteers. Although we’re a small team of five staff, we do our best to frequently thank them for giving their time to support us and our clients, but it still never feels enough.

Now that their dedication has been recognised at the highest level, we hope they, and everyone else, can truly appreciate just how incredible they are and the life changing impact their hard work has had on over 3000 women on their journey to employment across the North East.

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