Improving Skills + Employment opportunities - Reem's Story

Our 2021 research report, ‘Poverty and Prosperity in Kensington + Chelsea’, showed that residents of K+C are affected by a number of employment related challenges. Not only does the borough have relatively high unemployment rates, but many residents find that work is not necessarily a route out of poverty, with wages insufficient to meet high living costs. Barriers to work are complex and support services available are often not reaching those most in need. 

To tackle this, we established a fund focused on supporting skills and employment projects, which meet specific client needs. The portfolio aims to support residents into meaningful and sustainable employment, through 9 impactful projects reaching 1,500 people over three years.

SmartWorks is a UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for interview and job success. The charity gives women in disadvantaged circumstances the confidence and skills to overcome barriers to employment and transform their lives. Last year 72% of the women helped by Smart Works before a job interview got the job within a month, allowing them to begin a new chapter of financial independence for themselves, their families, and their communities.  The K+C Foundation now fund Smart Works through our Skills + Employment fund to establish themselves in K+C to provide tailored support to 150 women a year.  Each woman will receive work ready coaching and benefit from the unique Smart Works dressing service. 

Reem’s story:  Reem, a 54 year old client from Kensington & Chelsea, had been unemployed for 1 year, had unsuccessfully applied to over 50 jobs and was spending 30 hours a week applying for jobs. She shared how the job application process was negatively impacting her confidence. Reem is from an ethnic minority background and is a lone parent, placing additional barriers on her ability to find employment.

Reem attended her first Interview Preparation and Dressing appointment and worked with her dressing volunteer, Sarah, to find a perfect outfit (free and hers to keep) for her upcoming interview as an accountant at a charity, receiving a bag, jacket and shoes. Reem also worked with volunteer Christine for one-to-one interview coaching, making sure she was prepared with key points and strong answers ahead of her job interview. After her appointment, Reem said spoke about the high standard of the service and shared how her interview coach boosted her confidence by “reaffirming [her] thoughts on how to answer interview questions”. Overall, Reem felt much more confident in her new outfit, felt much better about answering interview questions, and felt much clearer about her strengths, skills and experiences.

A few weeks later, Reem called back as she had got the job. Reem returned to SmartWorks for her Second Dressing, where she received five additional items of clothing to create a capsule working wardrobe ahead of starting her new job.