Charity helps 200 unemployed women with 200 hours of training

In February, Smart Works opened its third London centre in the heart of Croydon at the Centrale shopping centre in the Town Centre.

Since opening, the team has been able to support about 200 unemployed women from the local area with 1000 pieces of clothing and 200 hours of coaching ahead of their job interviews. 

A spokeswoman from Smart Works said: “With an estimated 38,000 women unemployed across the South London boroughs, the centre will provide a lifeline for many in South London who are facing increasingly challenging economic circumstances.”

Smart Works has been running since 2013 and has helped almost 30,000 women to find employment.

The service is available to any unemployed woman with a confirmed job interview, the woman will be given a free high-quality interview outfit to keep and an hour with a trained volunteer coach to provide personalised advice and support ahead of the interview. 

When they get the job clients are welcomed back for a second dressing where they receive an additional five pieces to make up a wardrobe for their new job. 

The team are hoping to help over 1,000 women from Croydon and South London over the next year. 

If you are unemployed or work with unemployed women in Croydon or the surrounding areas, please get in touch with Smart Works on 0207 288 1770 to find out how we can help you.