Step Up for Smart Works is our annual walking challenge, this year taking place during the National Walking Month in May. It’s a chance for us to show up together for unemployed women across Britain seeking vitally needed work in an increasingly difficult job market.  

The challenge is simple: choose to walk 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 steps a day — whichever option feels comfortable — every day between the 1st and 10th May, and commit to raising at least £200.

By helping us to raise funds for Smart Works, you will be directly contributing to our work in providing the clothing, coaching and confidence our clients need to get the job and transform their lives.

Sign up here

The latest report from the Smart Works Unemployment Index ‘The Gendered Reality of Job-Seeking’ was launched today at the House of Lords.

Findings reveal how modern recruitment systems are increasingly shutting women out of work, damaging confidence and narrowing employer talent pools.

However, Smart Works’ human centred support is proving vital in helping women back into employment.

My appointment was fantastic…Now I see myself and what I've done as being valuable. I know skills that I have are going to help me in the future. I'm in a really good place."

When it came to looking for a new job, I was in a bad place mentally. I felt ashamed. I didn't know what I was going to do.. It was the Smart Works team that showed me what I could do.  I’m in a great place now and that is totally down to Smart Works. I'm just so grateful for the experience that I've been given."

The clothes and the coaching helped me change my mind set to be more positive. From before I walked into Smart Works, to when I came out, I was like a different person.”