Unemployment is one of the key barriers to financial independence and self-esteem. The aftermath of the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis are disproportionately impacting women, especially those facing intersectional barriers: 38% of our clients are lone parents, 17% have a disability and 38% are from an ethnic minority. Last year, our clients applied for an average of 31 jobs without success before visiting us. 25% of clients have been unemployed for over one year and 15% for over five years.

Smart Works Reading helps local unemployed women, especially those from low-income backgrounds, to succeed at their job interviews and secure work. Delivered by highly trained volunteers, we provide a free job interview dressing and coaching service. 69% of women who visit us are employed within a month. This targeted intervention tackles the inequality gap, enabling women to gain financial independence for themselves and their families. Last year, we supported 597 unemployed women into work.