Boost in donations provides job-seekers attending interviews with smart clothes
A company which collects, cleans and lends out smart clothes for job-seekers attending interviews hosted a donation and collection event as part of its push to help the unemployed.
The ihateironing group held its event last week at the Brixton Tate Library in collaboration with Lambeth council and the Brixton Library Workwear Scheme, which went into hibernation during the pandemic.
Much depends on a steady flow of generous free donations from businesses around the city, and over the past few months ihateironing says it has built a collection of high-quality professional clothes that are readily available at the Brixton Tate Library, in Brixton Oval.
During the course of the day, several job-seekers borrowed outfits for upcoming interviews and registered for library cards – which also gives them access to countless useful resources at the Brixton Library, including CV help and access to computers.
Matt Connelly, founder of ihateironing, said: “We’re lucky enough to have a generous customer base who are ready and willing to give us their previously loved items to be repurposed for a great cause, and to have a network of dry cleaners who are happy to professionally clean the clothes for free and make them look brand new again.
“Partnering with the library meant that we can directly get that support to the people of the local community who need it.”
Lambeth councillor Donatus Anyanwu said: “An initiative like this will help people look and feel confident in who they are, and that’s exactly the push they need to perform well for their interviews and make a good first impression.”
For more about ihateironing and Brixton Library Workwear Scheme, please contact reena@ihateironing.com or initiatives@ihateironing.com
Pictured top (from left): Janaina Aver, Reena Bakir, Joe Johnson, Robbie Adshead, Andre Restelli, Florence Huntley and Saij Arora from ihateironing at the Workwear Event at Brixton Tate Library (Picture: ihateironing)