Bibi, a client served successfully at one of charity Smart Works' UK centres
You’ve read about the glamorous donors and eyed up the dazzling lots. Now meet the women who will benefit from the Stella x Smart Works charity auction, in association with Christie's...
When a woman arrives at one of Smart Works’
eight UK centres, she isn’t, typically, wearing the sort of sequinned
red-carpet gown - the type which many of the high-profile women helping The Telegraph's Stella magazine
to raise money for the charity, have donated. Most ‘clients’, as the
charity calls the women it serves, feel unconfident and are anxious
ahead of a potentially life-changing job interview.
During a two-hour appointment, something quite magical happens. She
first gets to enjoy a personal styling session, working with a team of
expert volunteers to select an outfit that makes her feel and look the
part. Next she receives interview coaching, arming her with the
knowledge to back up that new-found faith that, yes, she will get the
job.
To date, the Smart Works formula has helped more than 14,000 women to
get back into employment after career hiatuses caused commonly by
illness, the breakdown of a marriage, homelessness, domestic violence,
or needing to act as a full-time carer to children or other relatives.
There are many reasons why a woman could have been knocked off the career ladder, and the service Smart Works provides is designed to help lift her back up.
This year has been tougher than any other for the charity: since the coronavirus pandemic
was declared in March, the invaluable, in-person service that the
organisation offers was temporarily switched to an innovative online
delivery model, before reopening with new social-distancing measures in
place.
‘Unemployment, particularly female unemployment, will be one of the
hidden consequences of the pandemic,’ says Smart Works CEO Kate
Stephens. ‘We know that in the coming months, more women than ever will
need our support and this means that the funds raised by the auction
come at a crucial time.
The monies raised will help us provide women with the tools they need
to succeed to return to employment and restart their lives.’
Here, two women who have benefitted from the Smart Works service share their stories.
Bibi's story
When Bibi came to Smart Works in February, she had been unemployed
for five years. ‘I was homeless and had been struggling with
depression,’ she remembers.
Bibi was referred to the charity by her local council, ahead of an interview with a law firm in Mayfair.
‘I felt nervous, shy and low in spirits when I arrived at Smart
Works, but I was touched by the care, respect and kindness of those who
greeted me,’ Bibi says.
Bibi worked with Smart Works to find a job in a law firm in Mayfair
Clients are able to choose their interview outfit from a vast walk in
wardrobe, filled with donations from Smart Works’ brand partners,
including Hobbs and Burberry, as well as pieces donated by individuals.
They leave with a full interview ready outfit, and once they get the job
are invited to return to pick five more pieces to get their new workwear wardrobe started.
‘The volunteer stylists helped me to pick out a beautiful outfit,
which made me feel confident’, says Bibi. ‘The interview-skills coaching
session was also very informative. A burden was lifted from my
shoulders and I left with all the tools I needed to handle any interview
situation. I got the job and I was so humbled by my experience that I’m
working with my team to see how we can give back in the future.’
Rachael's story
When the corona virus crisis became prevalent in the UK, Smart Works
launched a digital version of its service. Rachael experienced this in
June. She had been made redundant from her previous job with Virgin
Atlantic. She felt anxious, she says, about her future and financial
stability. ‘I don’t own any formal clothes as I had a uniform while at
Virgin Atlantic,’ she explains of why she wrote to Smart Works, asking
for support.
Rachael completed a career coaching appointment over video call –a
new service that Smart Works has launched to support women being made
redundant during the pandemic, helping them to figure out viable next
steps.
Rachael used Smart Works' digital service in June to help her find a new job.
She secured an interview for a management position with Argos, then
experienced the traditional Smart Works services – interview preparation
and personal styling. It all happened via video calls, and a parcel containing an interview outfit was posted to her home.
‘My clothes package arrived and I cried,’ Rachael says of the ‘wow’
moment, which followed an interview-skills session that left her feeling
‘so much more prepared’.
A few days later, she had a job offer. ‘I’m feeling so proud of myself. I literally could not have done it without Smart Works.’
All proceeds from the Stella x Smart Works fashion auction
in association with Christie’s will go to Smart Works. To discover more
about the items which have been donated, and to place a bid please
visit christies.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment