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Location: Reading
Date: December 15, 2021
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You can give the gift of confidence to transform a woman’s life  image

Support our Give the Gift of Confidence appeal this Christmas

There are over 10,000 registered unemployed women in Thames Valley Berkshire. Aside from the loss of income, unemployment can cause stress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

At Smart Works Reading, we help local women to rebuild their confidence at a crucial point in their lives. They could be returning to work after caring for a relative, looking for a new role following redundancy or starting again after an illness. We help women by reigniting their self-belief and supporting them into work.

“So grateful and happy to start my new job…”

Thanks to Smart Works Reading donors, Jyoti* got the clothing and coaching she needed to get the job. She said: “I am so grateful and happy to start my job with fresh work clothes. It has been very stressful finding any reasonable job and the added burdens of bills, mortgage on JSA (Job Seeker’s Allowance) had pushed me to breaking point. Clothes are the last thing on my mind but it’s the first thing that employers notice. My anxiety has been relieved over this detail and I am so appreciative of everyone’s encouragement.”

“I feel more confident, uplifted …”

Ingrid told us “This was a life changing experience. Audrey, Laura, and Helen were a godsend. They are highly professional, kind and very supportive. I feel more confident, uplifted and prepared for my next job interview.”

By donating now, you will be giving a woman the chance to return to work in 2022. £20 could pay for a clothing and personal care package for client who is unable to visit us in person.

Please donate to Smart Works Reading this Christmas and give the gift of confidence.

* Jyoti asked that we not use her real name.