Suited for Success UK

In response to growing requests, Suited for Success is excited to launch new customised group booking days. These include 'Just Dressing' days, 'Confidence-Building' days, and 'Employment Preparation' days for frontline agencies, training providers, and employment support organisations already offering interview skills, CVs and job search assistance. Our tailored group days can be adapted to meet the needs of specific client groups facing challenges such as low confidence, self-esteem issues, and anxiety that hinder their path to employment. The new closed group booking days run alongside our usual 1-2-1 appointment support. Our goal is to collaborate with frontline employment support agencies in the West Midlands to enhance the effectiveness of existing services, helping unemployed individuals overcome barriers to employment. Get in touch for more information or to book our group booking days info@suitedforsuccess.co.uk.

This week, the news has been dominated by headlines about early prison releases highlighting the challenges released prisoners face, including homelessness and unemployment, which often lead to reoffending and going back to prison. At Suited for Success, supporting people with convictions into employment is a big part of our work, and we recognise that collaboration and partnership is key. We love working with Maverick Sounds on a music employability programme that engages young offenders or those at risk of offending through music and video production. On a project earlier this year funded by the Eveson Trust, we also covered mental health and wellbeing, employment aspirations, the challenges young people in communities face, and the challenges of leaving prison. One participant on our program, who left prison in May 2024, shared: "I’ve been to prison five times, so I understand the process of coming out and starting over. This time has been the hardest; it’s not easy at all. Anyone coming out of prison knows it’s a struggle. This course has given me the faith and opportunities to realize I don’t have to return to my old life to achieve my goals. I can still make the right choices and reach where I want to be." Take a look at the showreel below from our latest Maverick Sounds program earlier this year. Want to support our work? Whether it's through funding one of our employment programs, or you may be a charity or frontline agency that supports ex-offenders interested in our new bespoke group day packages, or simply making a financial donation, please find a link in the comments below to get in touch or email: info@suitedforsuccess.co.uk #partnershipworking #reducingreoffending #morethanjustasuit

We're kicking off autumn with a great partnership employment project with Alstom, supporting unemployed ex-forces into employment as part of our ENGAGE programme. Suited for Success is partnering with Alstom Oxley depot in Wolverhampton to host an Insight day exploring rail industry careers in Alstom. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility. The day also includes bespoke structured work placement opportunities in traincare operations and design with a guaranteed job interview at the end of the placement. The Insight Day includes: - A tour of the Alstom Oxley depot. - Hear about the engineering jobs available, job criteria, qualifications, experience needed, where to apply for jobs and the recruitment process. - Meet Alstom staff and managers - The day will also offer suitable candidates a number of one-week work placements, including a guaranteed job interview with Alstom at the end of the placement. Registration is needed to attend as spaces are very limited. CRITERIA: Candidates MUST be unemployed and have left service, and they MUST also have a LEVEL 3 ENGINEERING QUALIFICATION to attend. See the attached flyer to circulate and for more information. #engage #morethanjustasuit #exforces #employment

Thank you so much Murray Uniforms Ltd for supporting Suited for Success UK with an amazing donation of male and female trousers ready to support our clients with the FREE provision of job interview clothing.

A 'dream' charity partnership with House Of Cavani. Thank you so much for choosing to support Suited for Success UK. #dressingforsuccess #charitypartnership #socialimpact #thankyou

The school summer holidays have just begun. However, many unemployed mothers and families are already concerned about affording school uniforms for the start of the new school term in September. Thanks to a great new clothing donation partnership with UK charity Goods For Good, Suited for Success has supported a school uniform project in the Ladywood area of Birmingham providing over 50 new children’s coats, hoodies, t-shirts, and trainers. These items will support the free school uniform provision project for 20+ families in Ladywood, helping local children starting primary school in September. For many years, Suited for Success has worked with the Ladywood Community Project and, with funding from local businesses, has run a uniform project for 15+ years. Furthermore, through donations from Goods For Good, Suited for Success provided smart coats, shoes, shirts, and sports coats to young people at a recent post-16 careers progression event in Aston, preparing them for apprenticeships, training placements, and job interviews. #morethanjustasuit #community #socialimpact #partnerships #itswhatwedo

Our last employment day yesterday before pausing our bespoke days for a summer break. It was great to work with West Midlands charity JERICHO supporting a cohort graduating from their Equiano project. The Equiano project supports victims of modern slavery through an employment-focused recovery project, which addresses the barriers survivors can experience and provides long-term sustained support. The project includes supported paid work and volunteer opportunities ESOL, maths, digital and life skills. Modern Slavery is an umbrella term to describe human trafficking, domestic servitude, forced labour, and criminal exploitation. The day's focus was on 'Rebuilding Foundations,' which aimed to assist the group in moving forward and getting ready for employment. We delved into identifying core values also exploring transferable skills and experiences to showcase in job applications or interviews and, of course, a FREE interview outfit. Many members of the group have professional qualifications and work experience before being exploited and now want to rebuild their lives. Another great partnership we are looking to continue at Suited for Success. But for now… rest, reflect, plan and refocus over the summer and, hopefully, a bit of sunshine! #freedom #employment #partnershipworking #morethanjustasuit

It’s been a busy couple of months at Suited for Success, with some great partnerships working. Recently, we hosted a great day with Balfour Beatty VINCI and Nuneaton Signs, where we supported a group of SEND young adults who have been on supported internships with the two businesses. The young group had a range of neurodiverse challenges, with learning difficulties ranging from mild to severe. Following an engaging workshop focused on interview preparation, a team of Balfour Beatty VINCI volunteers joined our Suited for Success volunteer coaches working 1-2-1 with the young people, practising interview questions. Each young person then received dressing sessions to get ready for their upcoming interviews. There were lots of smiles and excitement in the room as each person got dressed. It was really heartwarming listening to the group express their hopes and potential, leaving us all feeling hopeful for what lies ahead for them. #youthemployment #socialvalue #employment #send #suitedforsuccess

A great day yesterday collaborating with Titan Partnership and Aston Villa Football Club Foundation for a Post-16 careers progression day at the Villa ground to assist students transitioning from Aston and St George’s (alternative provision) academies in the Aston area of Birmingham. The theme of the day was ‘What Next?’ Morning and afternoon sessions were tailored to help Year 11 students explore their career paths. Groups of Year 10 students also joined us to gear up for Year 11 post-summer break. A ‘dream team’ of volunteer coaches and mentors from a variety of professional backgrounds, including law, finance and property and recruitment, joined the Suited for Success team to inspire and advise the young students on career choices through 1-2-1 conversations and group sessions. Representatives from youth charity The Prince's Trust and Aston Villa Football Club Foundation were also present to discuss their youth support programs. The day also included a pop-up Suited for Success clothing boutique, which became a real hub of activity. We gave 'dressing for success' demonstrations and provided Year 11 students free interview attire for apprenticeship and training placement interviews. Family members who came with some of the students were also invited to help dress and choose outfits. Whilst Suited for Success doesn't typically support schools, this partnership opportunity was too good an opportunity to make a difference to pass up. Titan is an alternative provision that supports students who have been expelled from their mainstream school or cannot function within a mainstream environment due to large class sizes. It was a really rewarding day! Looking forward to developing the day and supporting Titan Partnerships again next year. #youthemployment #socialimpact #partnerships

We had a fantastic afternoon last Thursday supporting a group of SEND young adults graduating from The HIVE College. Based in the north of Birmingham, the college supports young adults 19-25 with disabilities and different learning needs to develop the important qualities they need to aid their transition into adult life and gain employment. We worked with the group on one-to-one interview preparation, confidence building, and dressing to feel ready for those all-important job interviews. One member of the group beamed and said, “We’ve had the best day. Thank you so much.” When asked, “What did you love about it?” and he enthusiastically responded, “EVERYTHING!!!” See a few pics below 😁...We’re looking forward to continuing to support The Hive college #itswhatwedo #morethanjustsuit #employment