The last year has been an important time of change that has touched us all. In the aftermath of the pandemic and in the midst of the cost of living crisis, our service is more needed than ever. This rising need motivated our work and underpinned Year 2 of our Three Year Plan, to double the number of women helped to 10,000 women a year by 2025.

I am proud to report that Smart Works Reading had a busy year, with just under 450 women coming through our doors and 69% going on to get the job. We introduced a new position at Reading with an Outreach Lead focused on reaching the women who need our support most. We celebrated 8 years with our amazing growing team of volunteers who make our service possible.

Our objective for 2024 is to support even more women, aiming to support 750 women in Reading on their journey to employment.

Smart Works Reading has always been more than the sum of its parts. We are backed by a powerful community that shares in our mission to empower all women who need help getting into work. Without this community, none of this would have been possible.

We look forward to working together in 2024, so that we can help even more women to fulfil their potential, get the job and transform their lives.

Helen Francis

  Chair of Smart Works Reading