Newcastle Building Society Joins Forces with Smart Works to Empower Women into Employment

Newcastle Building Society has announced a new partnership with Smart Works Newcastle,

a life-changing charity helping women across the region into secure employment.

The partnership, which is supported by a contribution of £10,000, will also see Society colleagues

volunteer their time and skills to support Smart Works with events and fundraising as well as with

the charity’s upcoming office move.

Part of this funding has been provided by the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the

Community Foundation North East.

Andrew Haigh, chief executive of Newcastle Building Society, said: “We’re so proud to partner

with Smart Works Newcastle, a charity whose mission to empower women through employment

aligns perfectly with our own purpose of connecting our communities with a better financial

future.

“Work and opportunity is a strategic community priority for us, and supporting Smart Works

means our members are helping to open doors for women across the North East – whether they’re

stepping into the world of work for the first time or returning after time away.

“Along with our new Monument branch in the city centre, the partnership underlines our

commitment to the people and communities in the region.”

Smart Works is a UK-wide charity offering free interview-appropriate clothing and interview

preparation support to unemployed women, and women on zero-hour contracts. The Newcastle

team have helped over 3000 clients across the North East and 98% of clients felt Smart Works

had increased their chances of getting a job. Smart Works Newcastle hopes to secure new

premises in the city centre to enable them to support 1000 women annually.

Helen Boyd, Head of Smart Works Newcastle, said: “Women still face so many barriers to work,

so our aim is to break down the barriers of self-confidence and interview clothing to help our

clients see their potential and secure employment and financial independence, which we know

has a positive impact on children, families and the wider economy. Though based in Newcastle,

our service is for women across the North East and our partnership with Newcastle Building

Society will help us reach women across the region”

The North East continues to have one of the highest unemployment rates for women in the

country, with a female unemployment rate of 3.6% and a female economic inactivity rate of

28.1%, significantly higher than the national average of 24.6%. Despite these challenges, Smart

Works Newcastle’s mission of supporting 1000 women a year into employment is helping to

combat this, with 68% of their client’s securing employment within a month of their visit.

The Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation North East offers

grants to charities and community groups located in or around the communities served by the

Society's branch network.

Since 2016, Newcastle Building Society’s Community Fund at the Community Foundation has

also contributed over £1.7m in grants and partnerships to a wide variety of charities and projects

across the region, including the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the King’s Trust.