How we can help

We support unemployed women in their job search through the power of high-quality interview clothing and coaching.

We support women regardless of their unemployment circumstances. Whether you are recently unemployed, coming back to work after a long employment gap or looking for your first ever job, the Smart Works team are here to help you on your journey.

At the heart of Smart Works sits an Interview Dressing and Preparation service designed to help our clients with a scheduled job interview feel and look their best at a crucial moment. This includes a 60-minute dressing-appointment followed by a 60-minute personalised interview preparation, completely free of charge.

No interview? No problem!

We also provide dedicated 60-minute Career Coaching sessions to our clients to help them secure an interview and take the next step toward employment. Once an interview has been scheduled, the client can come back to us for an Interview Dressing and Preparation appointment to receive high-quality clothing and one-to-one coaching ahead of her interview.

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Our impact

Since 2015, we've been working hard to deliver our service in communities across Manchester.

5,000

women supported over the
past 9 years

63%

got the job within a month of
their first appointment at
Smart Works

94%

felt more confident
about their livelihood
and career

Asha

“I had to leave my last job because of the impact it was having on my mental health. I was really struggling – suffering from anxiety and depression. I was having a very hard time.

My appointment was fantastic…Now I see myself and what I've done as being valuable. I know skills that I have are going to help me in the future. I'm in a really good place."

Katie

"I’d been in the same job for 14 years when I decided to make a change. I needed to earn money quickly, I had a mortgage to pay and children to feed.

When it came to looking for a new job, I was in a bad place mentally. I felt ashamed. I didn't know what I was going to do.. It was the Smart Works team that showed me what I could do. I’m in a great place now and that is totally down to Smart Works. I'm just so grateful for the experience that I've been given."

Stephanie

"After college, I worked in a nail salon for a while. The people were lovely there and they wanted me to stay on, but because of personal reasons, I had to leave. That led me to have a long gap in my employment. I was helping my mum care for my dad, and it was quite a difficult time for me.

The clothes and the coaching helped me change my mind set to be more positive. From before I walked into Smart Works, to when I came out, I was like a different person.”

Our centre

We’re proud to support unemployed women from across all Greater Manchester boroughs and the wider North West.

Our services enable women to feel more confident and start believing in their own ability to succeed. The time our clients spend with us can be transformative. We give women the confidence, the self-belief and the practical tools they require to succeed in securing a job and start a new chapter in their life.

Our centre

The women we support at Smart Works Greater Manchester come to see us from all over the city.

We are incredibly proud to report that of the clients we are able to contact throughout the year, 69% have gone on to succeed at their job interview!

Smart Works Greater Manchester were delighted to win: ‘Best Not-for-Profit’ at the Stockport Business Awards 2019, ‘Small Charity Big Impact’ and ‘Trustee of the Year’ at the North West Charity Awards 2017.

Our centre

“I was only too happy to support Smart Works Greater Manchester. It’s a marvellous charity and it couldn’t be more important in these challenging times, to support women in any way possible.”

– Lisa, Smart Works Greater Manchester supporter

Make a donation to Smart Works Manchester

Transform a woman's life

Join our mission to support unemployed women across the UK who need help getting into work. Every donation helps us to deliver our service to be able to provide high quality interview-appropriate clothing and interview coaching to women who need it the most.

Donate clothes

Donate your pre-loved work-appropriate clothing to support our clients in feeling and looking their best to secure employment

Donate clothes

Donate your pre-loved work-appropriate clothing to support our clients in feeling and looking their best to secure employment

Donate clothes

Keen to help?

Join our community and get involved

Welcome to Smart Works Manchester

We help unemployed women to get the coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives.

How we can help

We support unemployed women in their job search through the power of high-quality interview clothing and coaching.

No interview? No problem!

Our impact

“I had to leave my last job because of the impact it was having on my mental health. I was really struggling – suffering from anxiety and depression. I was having a very hard time.

"I’d been in the same job for 14 years when I decided to make a change. I needed to earn money quickly, I had a mortgage to pay and children to feed.

"After college, I worked in a nail salon for a while. The people were lovely there and they wanted me to stay on, but because of personal reasons, I had to leave. That led me to have a long gap in my employment. I was helping my mum care for my dad, and it was quite a difficult time for me.

Make a donation to Smart Works Manchester

Transform a woman's life

Donate clothes

Donate clothes

Keen to help?

Join our community and get involved

Volunteer with us

Shop to support Smart Works

Fundraise for Smart Works

News & Events at Smart Works Manchester

Catch up with all the latest news and views as well as our upcoming events schedule.

Our supporters

We are proud to have established partnerships with brands across the fashion and beauty industry as well as corporations and professional services firms.

Looking for a different Smart Works centre?

We have 12 centres across the UK and offer virtual appointments if you’re not close to one of our centres

Welcome to Smart Works Manchester

We help unemployed women to get the coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives.

How we can help

We support unemployed women in their job search through the power of high-quality interview clothing and coaching.

No interview? No problem!

Our impact

“I had to leave my last job because of the impact it was having on my mental health. I was really struggling – suffering from anxiety and depression. I was having a very hard time.

"I’d been in the same job for 14 years when I decided to make a change. I needed to earn money quickly, I had a mortgage to pay and children to feed.

"After college, I worked in a nail salon for a while. The people were lovely there and they wanted me to stay on, but because of personal reasons, I had to leave. That led me to have a long gap in my employment. I was helping my mum care for my dad, and it was quite a difficult time for me.

Make a donation to Smart Works Manchester

Transform a woman's life

Donate clothes

Donate clothes

Keen to help?

Join our community and get involved

Volunteer with us

Shop to support Smart Works

Fundraise for Smart Works

News & Events at Smart Works Manchester

Catch up with all the latest news and views as well as our upcoming events schedule.

Our supporters

We are proud to have established partnerships with brands across the fashion and beauty industry as well as corporations and professional services firms.

Looking for a different Smart Works centre?

We have 12 centres across the UK and offer virtual appointments if you’re not close to one of our centres

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