You can now make a referral to Smart Works using an online form

Making a referral is simple and hassle-free. With our new online form, referring to Smart Works is now quicker than ever, taking only a few minutes to complete.

Within one working day, Smart Works will reach out to the woman you have referred, ensuring that she receives the necessary support at a crucial time.

Make a referral
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Location: Scotland
Date: July 6, 2023
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Everyday Shopping With easyfundraising image
Do you shop online with retailers such as Tesco, eBay, M&S, Boots, John Lewis, and everything in between? Then we have some exciting news!
We’re now registered with easyfundraising, the UK’s biggest charity shopping fundraising website which allows you to raise free donations for Smart Works Scotland while you’re shopping at no extra cost to you!
Simply sign up here, or via the easyfundraising app, and pick Smart Works Scotland as the charity you’d like to donate to:
Then, when you’re ready to shop:
  1. Go to the easyfundraising website, pick the retailer you’re buying from (there are over 7,000 listed) and it will take you to that retailer’s website.
  2. From there, shop as normal and they will give a free donation to Smart Works Scotland as a thank you for shopping with them.
It really is as simple as that, you’ll be helping fund our vital service supporting women back into employment, and the best part is, it won’t cost you a penny extra!
May 18, 2023

Supporting More Women with The ScottishPower Foundation

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July 25, 2023

Run For Smart Works Scotland

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Location: Scotland
Date: May 18, 2023
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We were incredibly proud to be one of just 19 charities across England, Scotland, and Wales, to be chosen by The ScottishPower Foundation to receive funding to support progressive and impactful projects that help transform lives.

Our vital 12-month project is to develop and grow our service to support women from minority ethnic backgrounds in Glasgow into employment at a time when our service has never been more needed.

What a fantastic start to the project we had this week, inviting representatives from partner organisations to our Glasgow centre to hear more about our plans, including our translation and interpreter service, and to provide their valuable feedback.

A huge thank you to One Parent Families Scotland, Sharpen Her: African Women’s Network, Community InfoSource, Bethany Christian Trust, Making Work Work, International Women’s Group and Me, Myself and I for your time and insight. We really look forward to working together on our joint mission.

“The event was awesome. The project is a welcome development – much needed.” Angie Mwafulirwa, Sharpen Her: African Women’s Network.

 

February 15, 2023

The Smart Works Female Unemployment Index

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July 6, 2023

Everyday Shopping With easyfundraising

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Location: Scotland
Date: February 15, 2023
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At Smart Works we passionately believe that female workers are one of the greatest assets we have in our economy. However, too often our clients come to us after months and years of trying to secure work without success and lacking confidence.

The Smart Works Female Unemployment Index is a report designed to highlight the experiences our clients face when looking for work. It covers all aspects from experiencing unemployment, experience of the interview process and the meaning of having a job.

1 in 4 unemployed women revealed they have been out of work for over three years. The average time spent applying for jobs is 23 hours a week and more than 1 in 10 women have applied for over 50 roles.

When they do make it to interview women had an Overall Confidence Score of 68 (with 100 being positive about succeeding in interviews, 50 being neutral and 0 being negative).  They felt least positively about employers’ perceptions of them being a woman, with an Interview Confidence Score of 61, and being a parent, with a score of 55.

In a three-month period almost 900 women shared their experience of being unemployed with us to help create this report. During this time there has been one recurring theme; that despite the barriers faced our clients remain determined to find employment with 23% citing their main driver for getting a job was to find a sense of purpose and identity.

The process of securing a job is increasingly complex but by researching and publishing data on the issues facing unemployed women, we can help pave the way for progress.

By giving a voice to unemployed women, we can help unlock the female workforce.

You can read the full report here:

February 14, 2023

Cycle for Smart Works Signs Ups are Open!

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May 18, 2023

Supporting More Women with The ScottishPower Foundation

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Location: Scotland
Date: February 14, 2023
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It’s time to take it up a gear, put the wheels in motion and join us on our mission to empower women this International Women’s Day.
Whether you’re a total novice or a cycling fanatic, Cycle for Smart Works is the ultimate challenge, combining the thrill of cycling a collective 500 miles with the joy of knowing you’ve helped empower a woman for job success.
Challenge yourself and your team of 5 and cycle 500 miles between 1st and 8th March 2023. By fundraising for Smart Works, you will make a real difference in our work and the lives of the women we serve. Every pedal and every pound matters. Together, we will be there for the women who need us most.
Click the link to sign up: https://www.cycleforsmartworks.org.uk
November 30, 2022

One Donation, Twice The Impact with The Big Give.

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February 15, 2023

The Smart Works Female Unemployment Index

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Location: Scotland
Date: November 30, 2022
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At a time of exceptional need, we want to grow our new service in Glasgow and dramatically increase the number of women we support in the city and surrounding areas with high-quality interview clothing and one-to-one coaching. By donating through the Big Give you can make this happen.

Between today (29 November) and midday on 6th December, all donations made through the Big Give platform will be doubled, making a huge difference for our clients and our service.

One donation, twice the impact.

To donate, click here:

https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900002O6TL4AAN

November 8, 2022

Sustainable Fashion Brand, This is Unfolded Support Smart Works Scotland

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February 14, 2023

Cycle for Smart Works Signs Ups are Open!

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Location: Scotland
Date: November 8, 2022
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Scotland-based sustainable fashion brand This is Unfolded is proud to support the opening of Smart Works Scotland’s Glasgow centre.

This is Unfolded is changing the way the fashion industry works, designing affordable, sustainable clothes in collaboration with their community of shoppers. They produce the high-quality, versatile and easy-to-wear clothes after orders are made, cutting the waste associated with normal fashion production. This is Unfolded is rated 4.9 on TrustPilot, and have an engaged community of happy shoppers.

Every purchase supports a child in education in India, where their clothes are made. Smart Works Scotland has received a selection of sustainable dresses, eco-friendly tops and stylish, ethically made culottes from their past collections, and they are about to launch a much-anticipated kidswear collection – sign up to be the first to know on thisisunfolded.com.

Hilde Fryrdnes, Co-Founder and CCO at Unfolded ‘We’re delighted to support Smartworks in Scotland with some of our Sustainable Clothing. The work they do to help women is really inspiring. The confidence that new clothes provides in seeking employment shouldn’t be underestimated.’

September 22, 2022

Say Hello to Smart Works Scotland!

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November 30, 2022

One Donation, Twice The Impact with The Big Give.

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Location: Scotland
Date: September 22, 2022
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Today’s the day!
We’re delighted to announce that as of today, we’ll be changing our name to Smart Works Scotland.
When we opened our doors as Smart Works Edinburgh back in 2014, serving clients in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, we had a vision that one day, our service would be available to any unemployed woman in Scotland who needed our help.
With the launch of our virtual service during the pandemic, and the upcoming opening of our brand-new centre in Glasgow in October, we are making moves towards that dream. We can now support women in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the surrounding areas and our extended reach is reflected in our new name – Smart Works Scotland.
Our new contact details can be found here on our updated Smart Works Scotland website.
We’re counting down the days until our Glasgow centre opens and we’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible enthusiasm and support we’ve received so far. Thank you so much and we’ll keep you posted on our progress over the coming weeks!
July 27, 2022

Smart Works is Coming to Glasgow!

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November 8, 2022

Sustainable Fashion Brand, This is Unfolded Support Smart Works Scotland

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Location: Scotland
Date: July 27, 2022
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Smart Works is coming to Glasgow!

Our mission has always been that any unemployed woman in need is able to find her way to Smart Works. Guided by data and demand for our virtual service we’ve taken an exciting step forward and will be opening a brand new centre to serve Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

Together with our centre in Edinburgh we’ll be able to help more women in need with the clothes, coaching and confidence they need to get the job and transform their lives.

Along with a new centre we’ll also be making a change to our name and subject to pending legal permissions we’ll be changing our name to Smart Works Scotland. We’ll be posting more updates across our channels in the coming months so keep an eye out.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this exciting new venture and want to pledge your support here, we’d love to hear from you!

April 29, 2022

Spring/Summer Fashion Sale Raises £2,000!

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September 22, 2022

Say Hello to Smart Works Scotland!

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Location: Scotland
Date: April 29, 2022
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Last night we hosted our spring/summer fashion sale in the wonderful Coffee Saints Cafe (coffee saints cafe edinburgh)
We raised over £2,000 thanks to lots of happy shoppers with some beautiful bargains! Sign up to our newsletter via our home page to be the first to know about our next sale!
April 14, 2022

We Are Yotel Edinburgh’s Chosen Charity for IWD 2022

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July 27, 2022

Smart Works is Coming to Glasgow!

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Location: Scotland
Date: April 14, 2022
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Every day is Women’s Day at Smart Works Edinburgh!

We’re thrilled to be awarded as Yotel Edinburgh’s chosen charity for International Women’s Day 2022.

We would like to thank Yotel Edinburgh for gifting us 6 months of free working space which we plan to use for a number of uses, from referrer meetings, fundraising events and staff training days.

Our centre manager, Beth, said “We have big plans for the year ahead, so this donated space will be a true asset in giving us the opportunity to think creatively as a team and continue to reach as many women possible across Scotland who would like our support.”

April 8, 2022

Mike McGeary & Friends Raising Funds for Local Charities, including Smart Works Edinburgh

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April 29, 2022

Spring/Summer Fashion Sale Raises £2,000!

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