10 years of getting the job, feeling empowered and unlocking potential.
10 years ago, Smart Works launched with a mission to use the power of high quality clothing and one-to-one coaching to help unemployed women get the job and transform their lives.
10 years on, and there is much to be proud of. 32 000 women helped, 11 centres opened, and 69% going on to the get the job.
We’ve stayed true to our mission, focusing on our dressing and coaching service, the golden thread that runs through everything we do.
Together we have grown into a powerful community of volunteers, trustees, staff, partners, referrers, and supporters from across the UK, united in helping women achieve their potential.
2023: Smart Works turns 10
The first ever Smart Works Unemployment Index launches in the House of Lords, giving a voice to our clients.
Bobbi Brown raises £1 million for Smart Works.
We open our 10th centre in South London and our 11th in Manchester City Centre.
We have helped 32,000 women and 69% go on to get the job.
2022
We launch the Three Year Plan to double in size and help 10,000 women by 2025.
We open our doors in Glasgow and re-launch as Smart Works Scotland.
The first Client Advisory Group meets.
2021
Our founder and Chair, Juliet Hughes Hallet, becomes Honorary President and we welcome new Chair Julietta Dexter.
We open the doors of our first branded pop up shop as COVID restrictions lift in April.
2020
The pandemic brings a halt to our face to face service but we immediately launch the Virtual Service. We do not miss a day of service delivery. The Virtual Service means any women across the UK can now access our service.
We also launch Career Coaching, to help women secure an interview.
2019
We welcome The Duchess of Sussex as our patron.
Our newest centre opens in Leeds, serving women across West Yorkshire.
2018
We open our doors in Newcastle, bringing the service to women in the North East.
We reach 10,000 women helped since 2013 and celebrate 5 years of Smart Works.
2017
Smart Works is awarded the Social Action Charity of the Year at the Charity Awards.
The first ever Cycle for Smart Works takes place.
2016
Our sixth centre opens in Birmingham.
We host our first Annual Conference for staff and trustees across the UK.
2015
Smart Works arrives in Greater Manchester and Reading.
We have over 250 skilled volunteers delivering our service.
2014
We write our Theory of Change, clearly setting our impact and purpose.
Smart Works comes to Scotland and opens in Edinburgh.
2013
Smart Works is created with support from our founding funder, the Garfield Weston Foundation. A SMALL charity in London with a BIG mission to help women across the UK succeed at job interview.
Our second centre opens in West London in November.
The need for Smart Works has never been greater. The legacy of the pandemic and the intensifying cost-of-living is having a disproportionate impact on the women we exist to support. Our mission is to take our service to more women across the UK, doubling our reach by 2025, to 10,000 per year. But we cannot do this alone.
On our 10th birthday, our wish is that any woman in need of our help can find her way to Smart Works. Join us and help play a part in the success story of another woman. Tell someone in need about our service; join our community to get involved; donate to our cause.
Change a woman’s life, share the Smart Works magic
Spread the word
Our birthday wish is that any woman in need of our help can find her way to
a Smart Works centre. Join our community to get involved, spread the word,
and help us fulfil our wish.
Donate clothes
Use Fashion as a Force for Good and play a part in the success story of another woman.
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Become a partner
We can’t achieve our mission alone. Find out how you can join our community of partners across the UK to help share the Smart Works magic.
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