Smart Works has received its first independent impact evaluation, and the findings provide compelling evidence of the charity's return on investment. Conducted pro bono by Frontier Economics over eight weeks, the research reveals that for every £1 of funding Smart Works receives, we generate approximately £8 in economic and social benefits.

This isn't just a feel-good statistic - it's measurable value that demonstrates how our human-centred approach creates real change for unemployed women, their families, and the wider community.

What the research measured

Using best-practice methodology and data from the 2024/25 financial year across all Smart Works centres nationwide, Frontier Economics quantified our impact through two primary pathways:

Economic productivity - When women secure employment sooner, they contribute to the economy through their work and earnings. The research measured this productivity benefit by looking at the number of clients who secured employment and the average earnings in the industries and occupations they moved into.

Health and wellbeing - Returning to employment brings significant mental health and wellbeing benefits. The research used recognised public health methods to estimate the improvement in quality of life when someone moves from unemployment into sustained work.

Importantly, the £8 return only includes women who reported securing a job through Smart Works. It doesn't account for wellbeing improvements for women who haven't yet secured work, or the wider benefits for families and children - meaning the true impact is likely even greater.

Smart Works clients outperform national averages

The research revealed that Smart Works' job success rates significantly exceed national averages, particularly for long-term unemployed women:

• Short-term unemployed: 76% Smart Works success rate vs 52% UK average
• Long-term unemployed: 64% Smart Works success rate vs 14% UK average

At Smart Works Reading, we supported 225 women in 2025, with 67% securing employment within one month of their appointment. These aren't just numbers - they represent women across the Thames Valley who moved from unemployment to economic independence, from uncertainty to stability.

Supporting women facing the greatest barriers

The research also showed that clients who were parents, disabled, or from ethnic minority backgrounds had slightly lower success rates - but outcomes were still strong. This demonstrates that Smart Works' support is highly effective even for women facing the greatest barriers to employment.

This matters because these are precisely the women modern recruitment systems are failing. As our recent Unemployment Index revealed, women in Reading are applying for 44 jobs on average before getting an interview, with 70% reporting damaged confidence from the job search process.

Operational efficiency as demand grows

The research highlighted Smart Works' operational efficiency: in 2024/25, we supported 10,685 women nationwide - a 30% increase in reach achieved with only a 23% increase in funding.

This comes at a critical time. Female unemployment has risen to 4.6% (approximately 800,000 women) while UK job vacancies have fallen by 8.6%. The demand for our services has never been greater.

Why this research matters

This independent evaluation provides powerful evidence of what we see every day: when women receive the right support at the right moment, they succeed.

Our model works because it addresses what modern recruitment systems lack - human connection, tailored coaching, professional presentation, and restored confidence. We don't just prepare women for interviews; we help them see their own potential at exactly the moment they need to believe in themselves.

The £8 return on investment represents:

• A woman securing employment and contributing to the local economy
• A family achieving financial stability and independence
• Reduced demand on benefits and support services
• Restored confidence and professional development
• Long-term career progression and economic participation

How you can support this impact

Every donation, every ticket to our fundraising events, every item purchased at our fashion sales creates this measurable return.

When you support Smart Works Reading, you're not just helping one woman - you're investing in proven social and economic value that ripples through families, communities, and the Thames Valley economy.

Your support funds free interview clothing, one-to-one coaching, and the confidence women need to succeed. And now we have independent evidence that it generates £8 in value for every £1 invested.

This is what evidence-based social impact looks like.

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