As the month of International Women’s Day, March is massive for Smart Works Scotland, creating a valuable annual platform to raise awareness of our important work – and secure much-needed funds.
Smart Works Scotland, which has been operating for just over 10 years, provides free high-quality clothing and professional coaching to unemployed women. Many have faced significant challenges in their lives, from long-term unemployment to domestic violence or resettling in a new country.
Our services, which are free, inclusive and designed to uplift, help women to fulfil their potential, get the job and transform their lives.
The Smart Works Unemployment Index, based on conversations with more than 4,900 unemployed women across the UK, revealed that the likelihood of women securing work is at its lowest point in three years.
Respondents applied for an average of 38 jobs before they got work; and more than a quarter applied for at least 50 jobs. Unsurprisingly, their confidence diminishes with every rejection – anyone who has ever been unemployed will know how soul-destroying it can be. We believe that unemployed women deserve better. We’re asking employers to be transparent in their recruitment processes, reimburse travel costs associated with interviews, and above all, be compassionate.
Last month, we hit the ambitious target we set ourselves three years ago, to support 10,000 women across the UK. We want to do even better in the next three years, but we can’t do it on our own, which is why we’re making March a month of action.
Over the coming weeks, our Scottish team is taking part in a range of corporate events centred on International Women’s Day to celebrate the contribution women make in the workplace while highlighting the gender inequality that continues to exist. The growing number of requests we are receiving to talk about Smart Works demonstrates increasing awareness of what we’re doing and the valuable contribution we can make in both understanding and overcoming the barriers facing unemployed women.
We’re also staging our own events to secure the funds we need to provide a helping hand.
First up is our Step Up for Smart Works challenge, which asks supporters to complete 10,000 steps daily – in honour of our goal of supporting 10,000 women – for the entire month. Using fashion as a force for good, we hosted an IWD Fashion & Fizz evening at Hobbs in Glasgow, where we heard first-hand about the detrimental impact of being unemployed from Victoria, 21, a marketing assistant from Glasgow. With unflinching honesty, Victoria described how her confidence crumbled before she was referred to Smart Works and with the help of the clothing and coaching provided, finally secured a meaningful job.
We’re hosting our first ever jobs fair, matching employers with women seeking work, and I’m especially looking forward to our special International Women’s Day event with Shepherd and Wedderburn, where we are bringing together a panel of visionary leaders, including Oakminster Care CEO Sunita Poddar, to reflect, inspire and drive change.
So, make March the month you join with us at Smart Works – clear out your wardrobe, consider volunteering, sponsor our Step Up team, host a fundraising event, become a corporate partner – and help us to support women into work and wellbeing.
By Charlene Sweeney, media relations director, BIG Partnership and trustee, Smart Works Scotland.
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