Smart Works Bristol is a women’s employment charity that provides specialist support to help women into work, particularly those facing the greatest barriers to fair and secure employment. They help women aged 16 and over who are unemployed or struggling to access opportunities. Many of the women are young people, care-experienced, refugees and asylum seekers, single parents, or living in areas of Bristol with high levels of income deprivation. A grant of £3,269 from the Bristol Temple Quarter grant programme is supporting their outreach work.
“Our model combines practical support with confidence-building. Each woman receives a two-hour appointment including one-to-one interview coaching delivered by trained volunteers and a high-quality interview outfit that is hers to keep. For women who are not yet ready for interview, we provide career coaching to clarify goals, build job-search skills, and strengthen self-belief. After securing employment, women return to receive further workwear that will see them through to their first pay cheque. These services work together to create a clear, empowering pathway into work and financial independence.”
“Because of my disability, it was important for me to come and see you to build my confidence. The clothes made me feel more confident. They made me believe in myself in a way I didn’t before.”
Sophie
If you are a charity, voluntary or community organisation based and working in the West of England and are looking for funding to support your work, then we may be able to help.