Smart Works Reading is pleased to announce that we have received a grant from SC Johnson to support unemployed women from the Thames Valley into work.
The £5,000 grant will be used to help fund rent for our new, more accessible centre from where we deliver our free employment and advice service for local women in need.
“Support like this is essential”
The Chair of Smart Works Reading, Sarah Burns MBE said:
“We are extremely grateful to SC Johnson for awarding us this generous grant to support our award-winning work with women in need.
“Support like this is essential so that we can continue to work with our clients to build their confidence, prepare them for interviews and help them to get the job.
“Over 75 dedicated, professional volunteers deliver our client service and help with everything a charitable organisation needs, from board level trustees to volunteers for dressing and coaching, stock control, comms, admin, and community outreach.
“Rent is one of our core costs, and working from an accessible, safe, and professional environment is key to our service, and is vital for our clients, volunteers, and staff to feel valued and supported.”
Mayor of Reading officially opens new centre
The new Smart Works Reading centre was officially opened by the Mayor of Reading earlier this month. We support unemployed people who identify as women from throughout the Thames Valley area. Since Smart Works Reading opened in 2016, over 700 of our clients have gone on to get the job, and our current job success rate is 69%.