The fundraising team at UK women’s employment charity Smart Works is calling for donations to support the launch of its second North West centre, in Manchester city centre.
Smart Works’ aim is to inspire and empower women by supporting them to get into work. The charity provides bespoke dressing consultations, one-to-one coaching sessions and interview preparation, to help its clients to see their true potential and succeed at interview.
As part of the charity’s nationwide plan to double the number of women it helps to 10,000 annually by 2025, Smart Works Greater Manchester is progressing plans to open a second location in Manchester city centre to complement its successful service based in Stockport.
Smart Works’ fundraising team is calling for donations to fund the bold new development and help the team to open its doors in April 2023, with donors encouraged to donate to Smart Works Greater Manchester through The Big Give Christmas Challenge. Every donation made through The Big Give will be doubled by the match funding platform, and Smart Works is seeking corporate donations of £500, £1000 or £5000. All donations between 29th November to 6th December will be matched.
For more than seven years, Smart Works has been working with referral partners across Greater Manchester and the wider North West to support and empower over 3,500 local unemployed women. Almost three quarters of the charity’s clients have gone on to succeed at securing employment within one month of their consultation, and more than 80% believe they have the tools to secure a job following their appointment.
In these times of exceptional need, the charity has reached capacity within its Stockport service and has decided to create a second centre which provides easier access to women across the North West. The new centre in Manchester will enable the charity to reach many thousands more women who are seeking to transform their lives and to gain financial independence for themselves and for their family.
Jan Iceton, chair of the board of trustees at Smart Works Greater Manchester, said: “We are thrilled to be ramping up our plans to bring the Smart Works magic to Manchester city centre. Our new home will provide easier and faster access for so many more unemployed women living across the North West. Our referral partners, who are key to our success, tell us that accessibility is the key barrier to many more women being able to experience our service and to then go on to succeed at interview, transforming their lives. And we listened! All funds generated via The Big Give Christmas Challenge will enable us to open the doors of our new centre by April 2023.
“Led by our business manager, Victoria Cronquist, Smart Works Manchester and Stockport will offer our clients choice and convenience for face-to-face appointments, and we will continue to provide our highly successful online services to clients who are unable to travel.”
To donate to Smart Works Greater Manchester through The Big Give Christmas Challenge, visit: https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900002ND6REAA1
