Smart Works Birmingham is celebrating a year of growth and transformation following a grant from the Severn Trent Community Fund.

The charity provides high-quality interview clothing and coaching to unemployed women, helping them gain the confidence they need to succeed.

In the past year alone, the charity supported 826 women, with 690 receiving its flagship Interview Preparation Service and 136 benefiting from Career Coaching sessions.

Severn Trent’s Community Fund provided £20,000 in funding in 2024, which played a pivotal role in keeping the charity’s doors open by covering essential rental costs - ensuring the continuation of its life-changing services for women across the region.

Thanks to the stability provided by the grant, Smart Works was able to focus on expanding its fundraising efforts.

This led to a successful move to a larger, purpose-built centre in February 2025, doubling its capacity with four changing rooms and two coaching rooms. This expansion has significantly improved the experience for clients and staff alike, ensuring privacy, comfort, and a welcoming environment.

Lily Clements, Fundraising and Partnerships Manager at Smart Works, said: “Severn Trent Community Fund gave Smart Works Birmingham security, a peace of mind that whatever happened last year, we had rental costs for our centre covered.

“The centre is where everything happens, it is a welcoming space where we empower women to succeed at interview. We support women who have low confidence and self-esteem, and little money to buy clothes for interview. It’s a simple yet effective service, we’re delighted that currently 69% of the women we see get a job within one month.

“The team at Severn Trent have been amazing and everyone at Smart Works Birmingham are thankful for their support.”

The impact of Smart Works Birmingham’s work is profound, with 72% of women who received interview preparation secured a job within a month. Many of these women had faced long-term unemployment, with 48% out of work for over a year and 45% having applied for more than 20 jobs.

The charity is committed to sustaining its impact and plans to host biannual pop-up shops in the Bullring Shopping Centre, as well as aiming to raise £10,000 per event to support core costs.

These events will be powered by volunteers from corporate partners and local students, further embedding the charity in the community.

Natalie Cunningham, Severn Trent Community Fund Manager, said: “The work that Smart Works does empowering women to succeed and helping them to thrive in the world is absolutely incredible.

“It’s inspiring to see how our funding has helped them expand their services, reach more women, and create lasting change. We look forward to seeing their continued impact across the region.”

For further information about Smart Works, the support it offers and the work that it does, visit https://birmingham.smartworks.org.uk/