Smart Works Reading

In August, Smart Works conducted a stakeholder roundtable meeting with key partners, including Ingeus, The Women's Work Lab , and 10,000 Black Interns , alongside two inspiring young women who have used our service. Our united mission? To empower young women into meaningful employment and change the trajectory of their lives. Read the article to find out more about the barriers young women are facing and what we can do to break them. https://buff.ly/4eLWvqE.

🌟 What do women aged 16-25 have? Passion, determination and ambition. 💭 What do they want? “Meaningful, long-lasting careers.” But we are in the midst of a youth employment crisis. Unemployment in this age group is at 13.9%, while the national average sits at 4.2% 📉 and right now, there are 379,000 women, between the ages of 16-25, not in education, employment, or training. This #InternationalDayOfTheGirl, Smart Works is calling on employers to be bold and harness the potential of young women across the UK. We are asking young women to not give up hope and to hold on to their confidence. ✨ Come through our doors for coaching, interview training, and a free outfit to help you shine on the day of your interview! Young women can’t gain experience if they’re never given the chance. So, we urge society to look beyond what’s missing in a CV and focus on the talent, drive, and potential they already have. Let’s break barriers and build futures by giving young women the opportunities, mentoring and networks they need to thrive. Help us nurture their ability: they are the future. 💙 #BreakBarriersBuildFutures #SmartWorks #YoungWomen #EarlyCareers #FirstJob #YouthEmployment #WomenSupportingWomen #FutureLeaders #BoldMoves

Donate a Bag + Write a Note = Empower a Woman Smart Works Reading is on a heartwarming mission, and we need your help. We're not just collecting bags – we're gathering messages of inspiration and support from one woman to another. Here's how you can make a meaningful difference: 1. Choose a quality work bag, tote, backpack, or crossbody bag (new or gently used) 2. Write a personal note of encouragement to tuck inside 3. Donate both to Smart Works Reading Your words of wisdom and your donated bag will be given to a woman preparing for her job interview, providing both style and a confidence boost when she needs it most. As you're doing your seasonal clear-out, consider how your hardly-used bag could become someone's lucky charm. Your message could be the extra push she needs to shine in her interview and take a step towards her dream career. We're running low on bags for our clients, so every donation counts. Whether it's a sleek tote or a professional backpack, your contribution will make a real difference. Ready to empower a fellow woman? Drop off your bag (with its special message!) at [insert location/address] or contact us at [insert email/phone] to arrange collection. Together, let's fill bags with confidence and opportunities! ✨ #smartworksrdg #smartworks #donateabag #backtowork #womenreturners

🌟 What a week for Smart Works Reading! 🌟 We've been all over Berkshire, from Reading to Maidenhead, Slough to Newbury, connecting with amazing women at job fairs and community events this week. A real highlight was our new Outreach Lead Lauren chatting with over 30 women at Reading Job Fest about how we can support their career journeys! Our mission? To spread the word about Smart Works and offer a helping hand wherever we go. Because every woman deserves to feel confident and empowered in her job search. If you have any events that you would like Smart Works to attend, or if you would like to hear more about how we provide women with interview coaching and clothing, please email Lauren.Shaw@smartworks.org.uk. #smartworksrdg #smartworks #womenreturners #backtowork

🚨 ARE YOU COMING TO OUR FASHION SALE? 🚨 Join us at the Smart Works Autumn Fashion Sale. Early bird tickets now available or you can pop in from 11.30am for free! 📅 Oct 5th, 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM 📍 Reading Minster Up to 70% off new-with-tags Iris & Ink, Aligne, Nobody's Child & more Get first picks 10:30-11:30 AM https://buff.ly/3Xkcbuq?

We're busy preparing the rails for our upcoming Fashion Sale. (Have you got your tickets yet?!). So we just wanted to give a BIG shout-out to the Fedcap team who visited our centre last week to help sort, steam, size and price the amazing pieces that will be on sale on Saturday 5th October. Thanks for your hands-on support folks, the rails are looking fabulous! And if you're interested in coming along to shop new with tags, high quality preloved and vintage fashion at seriously discounted prices, please pop into the sale which is taking place at Reading Minster. Grab one of our early bird tickets and shop from 10.30am when the doors open. Or pop in for free at any time after 11.30am. We hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/eKXany6z? #smartworks #smartworksrdg #fedcap #prelovedfashionsale

✨Empowering Women for Career Success✨ We were thrilled to welcome 11 amazing women from Southampton to our Smart Works Reading centre! 🌟 These determined job seekers, part of a Community Employment Support Course, came to us to experience our career coaching and dressing service. It was fabulous to work with Jobcentreplus Southampton on this two day programme. Our dedicated volunteers ensured each woman left feeling empowered, prepared, and ready to shine in their upcoming interviews! 💪 Want to support women on their career journeys? Check out our bio for ways to get involved! 🙌 #SmartWorksReading #WomenEmpowerment #CareerSupport #ConfidenceBuilding

⏰ Smart Works Reading: Tomorrow at South Reading Community Hub! Don't miss our free drop-in session on September 24th, 10am-2pm at South Reading Community Hub (WCDA). In association with Reading Borough Council, we're offering free support for job-seeking women: ➡️ Interview preparation ➡️ Interview outfit ➡️ Confidence coaching No need to book - just come along! 📍 South Reading Community Hub (WCDA), 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7QA #SmartWorksReading #smartworksrdg #backtowork

If you are someone with good or excellent condition shoes lurking in your wardrobe or a brand that has some dead stock we would love to hear from you and help get our clients interview ready Smart Works Reading Please feel free to message me if you have any questions on how to donate. Thank you

Donate Your Interview-Ready Shoes to Smart Works Reading! We're in need of smart, work-appropriate shoes in great condition for our clients going on interviews. Whether it's pumps, loafers, or block heels - any gently used, interview-ready footwear would be greatly appreciated. In particular, we're in great need of ladies UK sizes 5 and 6. As part of our free dressing service, we provide clients with a full interview outfit, including accessories like shoes. Please consider donating your no-longer-needed but still fantastic shoes. You can email reading@smartworks.org.uk or call 0118 959 4245 to arrange a drop-off. Thank you for supporting the women in our community! #DonationsNeeded #WomensCharity #SmartWorksCharity #smartworksrdg