In September 2021, we launched our first ever Client Advisory Group as part of our mission to ensure the voices of our clients always inform our decision making.

The Client Advisory Group is made up of 10 former clients, who have experienced the Smart Works service and want to share their ideas on how we can improve and develop. The Group meets quarterly with the Chief Executive to discuss strategic topics and act as a key touchstone in decision making, with learnings shared directly at the Smart Works Charity Trustee meetings and across the charity.

To date, the Group has provided rich insight into how we can reach more women, which partners we should work with, what to consider when opening new centres and how to best involve clients in our future work.

In January 2023, we launched the first Smart Works Unemployment Index.

The Index is a robust study examining unemployment issues affecting our clients across the UK. It covers three areas: experiencing unemployment, experiences of the interview process, and the meaning of having a job.

The aim of the Index is to ensure that our clients’ voices are heard by those who have the power and means to create a better employment journey for women in the UK.