You can now make a referral to Smart Works using an online form

Making a referral is simple and hassle-free. With our new online form, referring to Smart Works is now quicker than ever, taking only a few minutes to complete.

Within one working day, Smart Works will reach out to the woman you have referred, ensuring that she receives the necessary support at a crucial time.

Make a referral
Get your sparkles ready, it’s time for our sell-out Fashion & Fizz event on Thursday 14th November in the luxurious setting of Cheshire’s Mottram Hall – and this time it’s bigger and better than ever! ⁣
📍WHERE: St.Andrews Suite, Mottram Hall, Wilmslow Road, SK10 4QT⁣
🗓️WHEN: 7pm-9.30pm, Thursday 14th November⁣
🎟️TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/smartworks1/1425340 – includes welcome fizz and canapés, goodie bag and access to exclusive designer sale rails. There will also be a raffle/silent auction for you to buy tickets and win one of our fantastic prizes (inc a holiday!!)⁣
Our ‘in conversation with’ event, hosted by Smart Works Greater Manchester Ambassador and Presenter, @michelle_ackerley. We will be joined by stylist, writer and broadcaster Gemma Sheppard, most famously known for Channel 5’s award-winning television makeover show “10 Years Younger”. Gemma (@sheppardstyle) is an international stylist who has worked with some of Britain’s best known music, TV stars and most of the top fashion designers. She has her own beautiful fashion and lifestyle brand Voyages & Vanity.⁣
Throughout her career, Gemma has been praised for her passion and ability to empower people through style, helping them feel the best version of themselves – something that our Smart Works mission aligns with. We can’t wait to hear about her experience in the fashion industry, her time as a lead fashion stylist on some of the UK’s biggest TV programmes including Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor and about how she uses fashion as a force for good, empowering others and making them feel their most confident selves.⁣
As always, there will be a fabulous designer sale rail for you to shop, as well as a raffle/silent auction and a chance to mingle and get in the festive spirit. ⁣
All funds raised go directly back to Smart Works Greater Manchester services, supporting unemployed women into employment. We can’t wait to see you there! #FundraisingEvent #SmartWorks⁣ @mottramhallcheshire

We were shocked to learn that 379,000 women not in employment, training or education are between the age of 16 and 25. We have a plan to reach them, but there’s still more to do – and we need your help.

Please support Smart Works Greater Manchester for International Day of the Girl 2024 – We’re aiming to raise £5000 over the next week.

We’re also thrilled that this is happening during our partnership with The Big Give – which will MATCH FUND every penny we raise this week – up to £20k!

The Big Give donation platform officially opens TODAY, Thursday 10th October and runs for a week. Please use this link to make your donation today.
Transforming women’s lives through job success: https://lnkd.in/eymzCqKc

Helping the young women of Greater Manchester is an ongoing process, and over the next week we’re going to be sharing with you the things that worry this age group the most when it comes to work, and how we combat these fears.

We are delighted to share that our client Courtney got the job shortly after her visit to Smart Works! Courtney spent approx 25 hours a week looking for jobs and the process of this had left her feeling much less confident. When asked what having a job would mean to her, Courtney said “It would mean a clear and happy future and a list of achievements”

This is what Courtney had to say about her experience at Smart Works –

“Everyone has been so welcoming and encouraging, it has really boosted my confidence. I have received so much more help than I could have ever imagined”

We’re so thrilled for you Courtney, good luck in your new role 💙 #SheGotheTheJob

We’re so thrilled to announce that we (you!) raised over 🎉£15,000🎉 at our most recent Stockport pop up shop! A great big thank you to everyone who shopped with us. Each and every purchase goes back to supporting our clients into work and truly makes a difference – thank you 💙

🌟 Shout out to all of our incredible corporate supporters and volunteers for helping us set up/run the shop –
@bnyglobal , Novanta Inc. @carrierluxuryholidays Vernon Building Society, @fundapps @basf_global @barclaysuk @expedia @clarity_bt @ingeus_uk @anthesisgroup Dept for Trade and Business, @cbre @gunnercookellp @bankofamerica Ashfield MedComms, GMX, Charlotte Balbier and Kerry Sutcliffe

👜 Our amazing brands who support with stock – @4thandreckless @sosandar @saturday_bymeganellaby @joanieclothing @nobodyschild and many more!

Thank you to everyone for making our last sale of the year an amazing one, keep your eyes peeled for our next event announcement where you can gain access to even more incredible pieces to buy and support Smart Works!

We’re delighted to welcome our new Trustees Emma Pickering and Natasha Gada to Smart Works Greater Manchester, supporting us on our mission to help even more women.

Emma, taking the role of Corporate Relationships Trustee said:  “I’ve been impressed by the team at Smart Works and it’s impact on boosting women’s confidence. I’m excited to bring my experience to the role of Trustee, particularly in developing corporate partnerships, to further our momentum and growth so we can extend our support to many more women across Greater Manchester.”

Natasha, taking the role of Young Person’s Trustee, said: “I am over the moon to be joining the team at Smart Works Greater Manchester as the Young Women’s Trustee. Accessing employment post-education is becoming increasingly difficult for young women across the UK and at Smart Works, we have a real opportunity to change a young person’s trajectory here in Manchester. Our future generation needs us now more than ever!”

Please join us in welcoming these two fantastic women to our small but mighty team in Greater Manchester!

Hello Stockport…we’re back!

We’re so excited to be back at the Stockport Pop Up Shop for another fashion sale, using fashion as a force for good and raising vital funds for Smart Works

Come and shop a bargain, with brands from Sosandar, Aligne, Nobody’s Child and lots more to be announced (all at up to 70% off)

– Thursday 19th September 10-4⁣
– Friday 20th September 10-4⁣
– Saturday 21st September 9-4⁣

Location: The Pop Up Stockport, Merseyway shopping centre, opposite Vodafone & Office shoes!

We can’t wait to see you!

Happy 9th Birthday to Smart Works Greater Manchester

It’s been 9 years since we opened our doors in 2015 and today we’re celebrating 9 wonderful years of empowering women.

Sine 2015 we have –
💙 We have supported 4500 clients and delivered 5600 appointments. These include 3357 Interview Preparation and Dressing appointments and 896 Career Coaching appointments.
💙 Since the introduction of the online service, 39% of appointments have been delivered virtually.

Scroll along to see some more fabulous stats that we are hugely proud of. Our birthday also falls alongside National Volunteer Week, which couldn’t be more timely as our service wouldn’t be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers.

Thank you to our Volunteers, staff team, Trustees and partners for all your support. Here’s to even more years of empowering women into employment.

We (you!) raised an incredible £25k at our recent pop up shop on King Street 🎉💙⁣

We are overwhelmed by the response and support, we can’t thank you all enough for coming down and shopping, sharing on your socials and being the best Smart Works supporters! ⁣

All funds raised will go directly back to Smart Works Greater Manchester, helping us empower more women into employment 💙 thank you SO much! We hope you loved it as much as we did 💙🛍️⁣

Huge thank you to -⁣
🌟 @dsemotion & @kingstreetmanchester for providing us with this incredible space and all of your support as well as @roland_dransfield 💙⁣
🌟 @djemmaellis & @elgatonegrotapas for providing us with the best preview evening vibes ⁣
🌟 @nealsyardremedies @thisiswhistles @nadinemerabi @coggles @sosandar @tuulaalderley @thefruitmoth for the beautiful donations ⁣
🌟 @ingeus_uk @gunnercookellp @microsoft Irwell Valley and Sky Rise for supporting with set up and staffing our shop!⁣
🌟 And of course, our fantastic staff, Trustee and volunteer team 💙⁣

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Greater Manchester Board of Trustees with 2 exciting new roles.

The Young Women’s Trustee will lead the development of understanding the needs of Smart Works Greater Manchester’s younger clients aged 16 to 25 years (these being unemployed, NEET or in danger of becoming NEET, and those leave the care system) and become a recognised and valued advocate for this community across Greater Manchester.

Click here for the full breakdown and how to apply.

The Corporate Relationships Trustee will support in developing the corporate supporter base across the city region, with the aim of increasing the funding received from organisations. This will involve supporting the Fundraising and Partnerships Manager to shape the our corporate partner “offer”, engaging with corporate supporters, and building the narrative of our social value proposition.

Click here for the full breakdown and how to apply.

Applications close on 7th June 2024 at midnight.

Celebrations are in order as our client Sadija was successful in her interview! We’re so happy for her.⁣

Sadija first came to see us for a career coaching appointment, to support with her job search and next steps. After this, she quickly got an interview and came back for interview prep and outfit. Then… she got the job! ⁣

“I enjoyed the easy going conversation when discussing my interviews. It made me feel welcomed and calmed down my nerves”⁣

Congratulations Sadija 💙