“I have proudly volunteered for Smart Works Reading for almost three years now. When I set up my own recruitment business, I really felt strongly about giving back. I came across Smart Works Reading and loved their ethos of empowering and helping women get back into work – a subject very close to my heart.
I love that I am helping people to get back on their feet and find their independence again. Volunteering has genuinely enriched my life far more than I could have ever imagined!”
– Smart Works Reading Volunteer Coach

Smart Works Reading is proud to have a wonderful team of over 50 regular volunteers who deliver our services to hundreds of clients a year.

All our volunteers are professional, dedicated, and treat our clients, colleagues and other volunteers with respect and understanding.

If you would like to become a Smart Works Reading volunteer, we will ask you to make a regular commitment and complete our professional onboarding programme. We can work with you on timing and regularity of your volunteering and role to ensure its best fits with your skills and time.

You will benefit from regular training, the opportunity to learn new skills and the chance to meet interesting and like-minded people.

At Smart Works Reading, there are plenty of different roles to choose from that cater to a wide range of skills and commitment.

Dresser Volunteer

Our dressing volunteers have got an eye for style. They help our clients to find the perfect outfit for their interview.

We’re always looking for people who have brilliant people skills, a love of fashion and plenty of patience.

Ideally you’d be able to volunteer at least one day a month.

Coach Volunteer

Our coaching volunteers help our clients who are looking for work by supporting the development of their CV, covering letter and job search skills. They also coach clients in preparation for their interview by focusing on their skills, their confidence and their presentation.

You will need a background in HR, recruitment or senior management to join this programme.

The minimum commitment is one day per month.

Wardrobe Volunteer

Our wardrobe volunteers keep the whole system running smoothly by sorting, steaming and hanging our stock and making sure clothes are immaculately presented.

You need to be highly organised and tidy, love clothes and have lots of energy.

Admin Volunteer

Our admin volunteers support our team with office duties such as admin, greeting clients, data entry and client calls.

If you have customer service/admin experience then this is the role for you!

We ask that you are able to give approximately 2 days a month and we can be flexible in terms of which days you can do.

Tasks and responsibilities
  • Answer phone calls and speak to people who would like to use our service
  • Book appointments using our database (training provided)
  • Welcome clients to the centre for their appointments
  • Input client questionnaires to our central database

Outreach Volunteer

Our outreach volunteers support us to deepen our reach in the community. This involves attending events, speaking directly with referral partners, potential clients and is vital work in ensuring every woman can find her way to a Smart Works centre.

You need to be passionate about our service and great at connecting with a diverse range of people.

Communications Volunteer

Our communications volunteers generate content for our social media channels to spread the word about our amazing service and fundraising events.

You need to have an interest in communications and passionate about all things Smart Works.

Events Volunteer

Our event volunteers help run our fundraisers to raise much needed funds for our centres. This includes helping with the running and set-up of our quarterly fashion sales.

This is a more flexible role and we can discuss what amount of time you’re able to donate.

It usually requires availability on ad hoc weekends and weekday evenings.

Corporate Volunteering

Are you and your team looking for ways to give back to your local community? Corporate volunteer days at Smart Works Reading are a great way to help us support unemployed women on their work journey while also bonding with your team.

For more information, contact reading@smartworks.org.uk

Get in touch

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer we would love to hear from you. There isn’t one type of person who volunteers at Smart Works and we’re always looking for diversity of thought and experience, if you have a passion for empowering women and believe that you have what it takes to make a difference we want to hear from you.

Simply fill out this form and email it to Reading@smartworks.org.uk

Please bear with us, we take our volunteer recruitment very seriously and it might take a little while for one of the team to get back to you.