Our impact

The women we support are at high risk of economic hardship, often struggling with confidence and self-belief in the face of repeated rejection and real barriers to employment.

A large proportion of the women who come to us have applied for over 50 jobs with no success. Over half of our clients are from ethnic minorities and around 30% are lone mothers. By delivering our service at our 10 centres across the UK, we have been able to support over 37,000 women into employment over the past decade.

40,000

women supported into secure employment over the past 10 years

68%

of women get the job after visiting Smart Works

94%

felt more confident about their livelihood and career

10

centres across the UK to serve local communities

Smart Works Fashion Club presents: London Climate Action Week Event

Join us on Thursday 25 June 2026 for a unique opportunity to get a glimpse into the conversations Smart Works Fashion Club brings to its members throughout the year.
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As part of London Climate Action Week, Smart Works Fashion Club is bringing together Tiffanie Darke, Sarah Crook, Dr Dion Terrelonge and Bay Garnett for an evening exploring the psychology behind consumption and what it means for the future of fashion.
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From impulse purchases and trend cycles to confidence, identity and belonging, our relationship with fashion is often shaped by forces we rarely stop to examine.
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Following the panel, guests will have the opportunity to join smaller breakout conversations, diving deeper into topics including shopping habits, second-hand fashion, industry change, and the connection between clothing and confidence.
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Location: Town Hall by Bottaccio, London WC1H 9AU.
Tickets available via Eventbrite.

The Smart Works Index 2025: The Gendered Reality of Job Seeking

The latest report from the Smart Works Unemployment Index ‘The Gendered Reality of Job-Seeking’ was launched today at the House of Lords.

Findings reveal how modern recruitment systems are increasingly shutting women out of work, damaging confidence and narrowing employer talent pools.

However, Smart Works’ human centred support is proving vital in helping women back into employment.

Explore the Smart Works Index 2025

Make a donation

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 free 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 confident at their job interview.

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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

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.”