Ukranian Marianne secures employment through Smart Works
Smart Works Greater Manchester has supported a young Ukranian mum into employment.
Working in collaboration with United Ukraine, the team at Stockport based women’s charity Smart Works Greater Manchester, has helped a young mum, Ukranian evacuee *Marianne, find a new job creating security for her and her young son.
Smart Works Greater Manchester opened in June 2015 to support unemployed women from across Greater Manchester boroughs to find paid employment, enabling them to feel more confident and start believing in their own ability to succeed.
Marianne* came from Kyiv, Ukraine to Manchester 7 months ago with her young son. She was connected with Smart Works through the United for Ukraine initiative, which was set up to offer access to employment and support services in response to the crisis in Ukraine.
During Marianne’s first appointment with Smart Works Greater Manchester, she was styled and received a high-quality interview outfit followed by a one to one interview preparation coaching session, in preparation of her upcoming job interview.
The Smart Works team were absolutely delighted to hear that Marianne was offered the job when she returned to Smart Works for a ‘Second Dressing’ service, where she was provided with a capsule wardrobe of clothing ready for her new job!
Marianne was both grateful to Smart Works and excited to begin her new job:
“It was great and a new experience for me. I wish every woman has this kind of support. It has helped to raise my self-esteem and gave me confidence in my interview. Having a job in so important to me; I feel freedom again and a chance to return to being independent.
“I think Smart Works make a great work for women. It is very important to feel support. Thank you so much to all their team.”
(Marianne above: the pictures in the black suit were captured at her first dressing appointment, and the other 2 photographs are from her second dressing when she returned after having secured the job).
Since opening in June 2015, Smart Works GM has delivered over 4,000 appointments, supporting unemployed women to “get the clothes, get the confidence, get the job”.
72% of the women supported succeed at job interview.
Smart Works free services include:
- Pre-employment Career Coaching session for unemployed women who are looking for work.
- For unemployed women with a confirmed job interview, our Interview Styling and Coaching session provides high-quality interview-appropriate clothing, shoes and accessories (theirs to keep) to wear for their job interview and a 1:2:1 personalised interview preparation coaching session.
On the news that their client has been successful at interview, she will be invited back to receive additional items of clothing, all free and to keep, to build up a capsule wardrobe.
The time clients spend with Smart Works can be transformative. They give women the confidence, the self-belief and the practical tools they require to succeed in securing a job and start a new chapter in their life.
A small but passionate team, they are supported by a brilliant team of skilled volunteers who help deliver the service through both in-person and remote appointments.
*Marianne’s name has been changed to respect her privacy
