Recently we were fortunate to have with us Kate Stephens, CEO of Smart Works, this year’s chosen school charity. She gave us an inspirational assembly about the extraordinary work they do, complete with a video of their clients talking about the extraordinary impact of their sessions with the charity. Smart Works has a simple mission: to dress and coach unemployed women for their job interview so they can fulfil their potential and change their lives.

However, as Kate put it, this simple sounding intervention has a profound and positive impact on everyone around it. Not only does it deliver outstanding tangible results, with 69% of clients this year going on to get the job within a month of their visit, but it also lifts up everyone associated with it. There are lots of ways in which people do get involved: from donating clothes, money or time as a volunteer dresser, coach or wardrobe organiser to referring clients and making contacts for the charity to continue on its mission to double in size. The bulk of the clothes given to clients are donated by major retailers, from designers to high street, and including make up, shoes and accessories too. They are carefully curated and edited for every woman during her appointment, which includes an hour of 1-1 interview coaching as well as the dressing session.

Kate spoke movingly about the power of clothes in transforming a woman’s idea about herself - certainly something that all of us in the Sports Hall could relate to - and about the power of what we can achieve when we work together with a common purpose. By making aspiration accessible to everyone and demonstrating to an unemployed woman that there is a community out there that believes in her, lives are changed. And at this time of unprecedented need, post the pandemic and in the middle of a cost of living crisis, Kate made clear that she feels it is their duty to take this charity to every woman who needs them across the UK.

Headmistress, Mrs Lindsey Hughes said:

I agree wholeheartedly with Kate in her belief that it is our responsibility as women to support and empower each other. As Smart Work’s Patron, the Duchess of Suffolk, said in her 10th anniversary statement, “you have made an indelible mark on women across the UK who have walked into your doors in need of more than just an outfit - they needed someone to believe in them. … You provide much more than a handout, at Smart Works you provide a hand held.”

I am very excited about what more the Channing community can do, beyond our usual charity weeks and bake sales, to support Smart Works this year. The Year 13 Charity Officers are on the case so watch this space for more information about our school initiatives, but in the meantime there are a number of ways in which you can support them straight away if you have also been inspired by their mission.

Smart Works Fashion Sale, 2-4 February

Shop at the Smart Works Fashion Sale, returning to the Truman Brewery from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 February, for pre-loved, vintage and designer pieces all up to 70% off RRP. With 100% of the sale price coming directly to Smart Works, this is guilt-free shopping at its best. Tickets are available here: The Smart Works Fashion Sale.

Clothing Drives

Now is the perfect time to clear out your closet and give your clothes a new lease of life. Whether it's donating a pre-loved suit to our wardrobes or your favourite party dress to be sold at a sale, every piece you contribute will play a significant role in empowering another woman's journey to success. Students and parents interested in donating clothing can find out more here: Donate Clothes.

Volunteering

For any parents interested in volunteering with Smart Works on a regular, individual basis, working directly with our clients in interview dressing and coaching appointments, they can visit our website here: Smart Works Volunteering.

We also offer group volunteering sessions for Corporate Teams - our Corporate Wardrobe Sessions. To organise these, please get in touch with the Smart Works Team by contacting our Corporate and Retail Partnerships Executive, Charlotte Hope.

Challenge and Sporting Events

We have places in various different challenge and sporting events throughout the year, such as RideLondon and the Brighton Marathon. More information on these is available here: Smart Works Fundraising.

Finally if you have contacts in the fashion trade and would be interested in finding out more about how you could support Smart Works with donations of dead stock or by running promotions in aid of the charity - such as Bobbi Brown’s Never Fully Dressed collection for International Women’s Day - please let us know (by email: community@channing.co.uk) and we’ll be happy to put you in touch with Kate. By complete coincidence (and we really didn’t know this when the Sixth Form Charity Officers selected Smart Works as one of the charities offered to the school for voting this year) she is also a Channing parent. Now that really is serendipity!