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Empowering Women Back into the Workforce Smart Works is a volunteer lead charity that empowers women back into the workforce by offering a helping hand in regaining their confidence by providing free workwear clothing and coaching to help them feel their best selves.

“A few years ago, I found myself between houses, my dad had recently died, and I was made redundant, all within 6 months. I totally lost my confidence and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my career, or how to change direction.”

This is Nathalie Bouleau Chabot, business development lead at Smart Works Newcastle, explaining how her own experience with losing her job and her confidence lead to her becoming so passionate about the charity. “Having been in a similar position to many of our clients, I wanted to use my experience to support other local women,” she explains.

Smart Works, whose Royal Patron is Meghan Markle, provides free workwear clothing and interview coaching to unemployed women who need a helping hand in getting back into the workforce and regaining their confidence. “We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed,” Nathalie explains.

Smart Works originated in London in 2013 and has now significantly grown across the country. The charity opened its Newcastle branch in April 2018 to give unemployed women from across the North East the chance to regain their confidence and start a new chapter in their lives. It is a non-profit organisation and over 40 volunteers give up their time to help style and dress the women in an outfit that makes them feel comfortable and happy.

The women are provided with accessories, lipstick, sanitary products and new underwear, if they need it, to make them feel fully confident and prepared. Clients are given one-on-one coaching sessions that help refine their strengths and diminish any anxieties about the interview process. Once a client is successful at her interview, she is welcomed back for a second dressing to equip her with five extra pieces of clothing to see her through until her first pay cheque.

“I’m honoured to be part of a community supporting women and hope to be able to extend our service and help as many women in the North East as possible back into work,” says Nathalie. Smart Works not only helps by getting women back into the workforce, it also creates a safe space and forms a community for them. The staff, volunteers, trustees, donators and clients all become one community of strong women. Women supporting women out of the kindness of their hearts is very heroic, especially in today’s society where women are constantly put down.

The Duchess of Sussex has recently created a capsule collection for the charity, entitled The Smart Set. Meghan spoke to Vogue about her passion towards the charity and collection: “It’s about women who are empowering each other.” She says, “the reason I was drawn to Smart Works is that it reframes the idea of charity as community”. The collection helps enable this, as with each item purchased from it, one will be donated to Smart Works. This gives consumers the chance to directly help and support the charity and its clients.

Smart Works creates a safe haven for all its clients, volunteers and staff. Fashion Design and Marketing student, Jack Dennington, joined the charity on placement as he felt that sense of community. “I was raised by a single mum who has always taught me that it doesn’t matter who you are, you always have the right to work. So, I feel that Smart Works is the beginning of those stepping stones to get you to where you want to be,” he says. And it works. “66% of the clients we see will secure a job within a month of their appointment, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.” As Nathalie says, “I really could have used the Smart Works service. I think it’s such a brilliant concept.”

By Zara Butler