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: August 3, 2020
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Our Virtual Service image

The significance of a first impression is crucial. When a woman secures a job interview there should never be additional stress nor struggle channelled from a difficult financial position or having no suitable clothes to wear. Smart Works Edinburgh helps almost 250 women a year with the clothes and confidence they need to succeed at their job interview and move on with their lives. Over 1 in 2 women we see get the job and 82% of our clients leave feeling more confident that they are going to succeed in their interview.

Our service at Smart Works Edinburgh is currently open to any women Scotland-wide who are unemployed or at risk of redundancy. We can offer our dressing and interview preparation service to any woman who has a confirmed job interview. If you are struggling to secure a job interview, our coaches can take you through an hour career coaching, leaving you with tangible steps to progress your job hunt.

The 2-hour interview preparation appointment begins with a consultation with one of our dressing volunteers who will take into consideration your style preferences and the job you are going for. They will then assist you in finding that perfect head-to-toe interview outfit which is yours to keep for free. All our stock is donated through other working women or comes direct from our retail partners such as Hobbs, Next, Whistles, Evans, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis & Partners. This is followed by an interview training session with one of our volunteers who specialize in HR and recruitment who will assist you in feeling not only prepared but believing in your own ability to succeed.

Due to the current restrictions regarding COVID-19 we are sadly unable to invite you along to our office for a face-to-face appointment. However, our service can be delivered virtually with our wonderful volunteers who are hosting both the dressings and interview coaching over Zoom or phone. Once your appointment is finished a parcel with your bespoke outfit, jewellery, interview pack and a note from us will be posted to your address.

If you have a job interview lined up and would find our service useful then please do get in touch with us by either calling us 0131 516 7787, or sending us an email – edinburgh@smartworks.org.uk

April 1, 2020

Smart Works Edinburgh x treen

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September 7, 2020

An evening with Ayesha Hazarika

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Location: Scotland
Date: March 25, 2020
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COVID-19 Update image

Given the government advice around COVID-19, we have taken the decision to pause dressings for the time being. We will be taking referrals for interview coaching via zoom or telephone. This is a precaution to protect our clients, volunteers and staff.

It is a temporary measure, and we will be in touch when the situation changes. If you have any questions or wish to refer someone to the service for interview coaching please do get in touch on 0131 516 7787.

As we have had to temporarily close our centre, we are also unable to accept clothing donations. However, your donations will be desperately needed soon so please do keep things to one side for us.

All of our staff are working from home and contactable by email. The team at Smart Works Edinburgh are really grateful for all of your support. We wish everyone in the Smart Works family – clients, referrers, donors and volunteers – good health during this challenging time.

 

 

February 27, 2020

Smart Works Edinburgh partner with Sarah Haran for International Women’s Day

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April 1, 2020

Smart Works Edinburgh x treen

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Location: Scotland
Date: November 14, 2019
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5th Birthday Pop-Up raises more than £6,000 for Smart Works Edinburgh image

Smart Works Edinburgh, in partnership with international law firm, CMS, celebrated its 5th birthday in style last month, raising more than £6,000 to help women get back into employment.

For the third year, together with leading lifestyle magazine, i-on, more than 130 guests gathered for an evening to shop from an array of local retailers and enjoy networking with like-minded women who support the Smart Works cause.

Held in The Scottish Café, beautifully refurbished venue by the ever-supportive Contini family, guests browsed stallholders, mostly small businesses run by local women: le tee Paris; Life with Style; Cheri Milaney; Rachel Scott Couture; McTavish Collection; Jigsaw; Dandelion & Ginger; Scottish Textiles Showcase; Bawbags; Black & White Publishing; Grace Chocolates; Vincent Bell and Sarah Haran.

National partner, Jigsaw, treated guests to a styling demonstration, offering top tips to create the perfect capsule wardrobe and key seasonal looks.

Artisan bakery, Creamed Edinburgh, created a beautiful vanilla and bramble birthday cake for the occasion.

It was an important milestone to reflect on past achievements and how far the charity has come in its mission to empower women to transform their lives. And, crucially, the funds raised, will allow more than 100 women to be supported back to work, with increased confidence and self-belief.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who made the event possible – we couldn’t have done it without you.

And, finally, watch this space for more exciting events ahead in 2020!

October 21, 2019

Smart Works Edinburgh Celebrates 5th Birthday

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February 19, 2020

Celebrate International Women’s Day with Smart Works Edinburgh

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Location: Scotland
Date: August 1, 2019
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Forces for change: The Duchess of Sussex guest-edits British Vogue image

We are so proud to be included in the seminal, September Edition of British Vogue guest-edited by our Patron, The Duchess of Sussex.

In the article, The Duchess writes:

“The reason I was drawn to Smart Works is that it reframes the idea of charity as community. It’s a network of women supporting and empowering other women in their professional pursuits.”

For the special issue, The Duchess brings together a group of inspiring women from all walks of life. From activists to artists, prime ministers to climate change champions, this group of incredible women are all changing the world for the better.

Kate Stephens, Smart Works CEO, comments:

“Our Smart Works family is flourishing under the Duchess’s patronage. We have dressed more women than ever before, and we have just had our best ever July, helping 27% more women across the UK than the same time last year. We want to help more women find their way to a Smart Works centre so that they may, in the words of the Duchess, be ready to take on the world, get a job and transform their lives“

The Duchess and Smart Works have more exciting plans in store (watch this space) but for now, we hope you’ll buy this very special copy #ForcesForChange edition of Vogue and be inspired by what you read.

July 29, 2019

Smart Works Edinburgh Lands £5,000 from One City Trust’s Main Grant Programme

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September 10, 2019

OUR ANNUAL FASHION & BEAUTY POP-UP IS BACK

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Location: Scotland
Date: July 29, 2019
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Smart Works Edinburgh Lands £5,000 from One City Trust’s Main Grant Programme image

We are proud to announce that we have been awarded £5,000 from the Main Grant Programme, courtesy of OneCity Trust.

OneCity Trust is an independent organisation which acknowledges the vast inequalities and social exclusion present in the city of Edinburgh. Itself funded through donations and fundraising initiatives, OneCity Trust seeks to provide strategic funding to both large and small local organisations working to address our city’s problems. They do this by helping local projects tacking obstacles that residents may face; especially in areas such as education, social welfare, homelessness and mental health.

As we at Smart Works Edinburgh continue in our dedication to widening women’s access to employment, we are proud to be supported by an organisation whose vision aligns so well with our own.

Smart Works Edinburgh will use this funding to continue to provide high quality professional clothing and one-on-one interview coaching to women facing structural challenges to employment.

 

 

 

July 11, 2019

Gabriella Bennett hosts Brunch with Betty Jackson CBE

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August 1, 2019

Forces for change: The Duchess of Sussex guest-edits British Vogue

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Location: Scotland
Date: April 15, 2019
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Smart Works Edinburgh is moving offices on 1st May image

We are very excited about the move, and cannot wait to set up this beautiful new space for our deserving clients.

Please see our new address below:

 

32 Annandale Street Lane

EH7 4LS

 

Our current office will remain open for appointments until 1st May. We will be closed to clients for the first week in May and reopen immediately thereafter. Thank you for your patience!

March 15, 2019

Rachel Scott x Smart Works

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May 9, 2019

Jane Shepherdson CBE x Smart Works Edinburgh

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Location: Scotland
Date: July 17, 2018
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Smart Works Featured in First Minister’s Advisory Council on Women and Girls image

We are very pleased to be featured as part of the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women & Girls. The advisory council was formed with the aim of progressing gender equality for women and girls across Scotland – #GenerationEqual.

We are delighted to be highlighted for our work in tackling gendered poverty. We provide women with interview clothes and training – last year 70% of the women we spoke to after their appointment went on to get the job. Read the full case study here.

Smart Works Edinburgh has been helping women into work since 2014, and we aim to see 350 women this year.

To find out more about supporting Smart Works Edinburgh click here. If you know a woman who may benefit from Smart Works click here.

May 3, 2018

Afternoon Tea Party

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September 26, 2018

A Fabulous Evening of Shopping, Pampering and Fun

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