We are incredibly proud to announce that Kirsty McNeill MP, the newly appointed UK Government Scotland Office Minister, visited Smart Works at our Edinburgh centre this week.
During her visit, Minister McNeill engaged with our staff and volunteers, sharing her commitment to tackling the cost of living crisis and unemployment. She emphasised the importance of improving family finances by creating high-quality local jobs and supporting businesses, enabling everyone to “get on and not just get by.”
With her background as a charity leader, Minister McNeill has seen firsthand the transformative power of charity support, championing fairness and unity by providing services to its beneficiaries that “should be theirs by right.”
Commenting on the day, Minister McNeill said:
“It was truly inspiring to see the outstanding work of this charity in transforming the lives of unemployed women in our communities and I look forward to working with them and others as the UK Government delivers on its commitment to put the country back in the service of working people. By helping women boost their confidence and skills, Smart Works is playing a vital role in something I am very passionate about – helping people to get on and not just get by. I was very grateful to meet the team to hear their perspective on the barriers for women entering the workforce and the innovative solutions and support they offer.”
At Smart Works, we believe that every person has the right to feel empowered, regardless of their age, race, background or gender. We exists to empower all women in entering the workforce by providing high quality clothing and coaching, enabling them to unlock their potential, secure employment, and transform their lives.
Last year, we witnessed the effect that the cost-of-living crisis and an increasingly demanding job market was having on our clients and were proud to support over 1000 women across Scotland, with 2 in 3 clients across the UK securing employment within a month of their visit bringing them not only financial security, but also a sense of purpose and identity.
We believe that women are one of the greatest assets we have in our economy. As we work to support 10,000 women each year, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Minister McNeill for her visit and her commitment to empowering women and enhancing employment opportunities that are crucial for our nation’s growth and success.