The Power of Hello

By Clare Findlay, Smart Works Volunteer in London

I was sipping my coffee, scanning the notes ahead of a busy morning at the West London centre, when one CV caught my eye. A creative professional with an impressive background, she was coming in for her first Smart Works appointment — a wardrobe styling followed by interview coaching.

When we met, she greeted me with a quiet warmth and showed me her outfit — beautifully styled by our dressing volunteers. At Smart Works, that first outfit isn’t just clothes. It’s the start of something. It helps you see yourself in the role. It lifts your shoulders, softens nerves, and builds belief.

During our session, I learned she had multiple interviews lined up. We got to work — covering how to structure answers, manage nerves, and project confidence. She was focused, open, and by the end, completely in her stride.

You don’t always hear how the story ends. But this time, the news came in: she received job offers from every single interview.

A few weeks later, she returned to the centre for a second dressing. I wasn’t coaching that day, but something told me to come in. As I walked through the doors, she looked up and smiled.

“Hello Clare.” She remembered me.

That simple moment captured the essence of why I volunteer. It’s not just about coaching or clothes. It’s about connection — seeing someone believe in themselves again, and knowing you played a small part.

At Smart Works, community isn’t just a word. It’s a feeling. A shared space where clients and volunteers lift each other up. A reminder of what we can all become, with the right support around us.

Behind every woman we support is a community that never lets her stand alone.

And from connection comes confidence.

Join the Smart Works community and help another woman transform her future.

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