Smart Works Reading to host fundraising fashion sale in Marlow

A charity supporting women back into the workplace is set to host its first fashion sale in Marlow.
Attendees will get the chance to pick up new, premium label clothing and accessories as well as pre-loved bargains at the event, organised by Smart Works Reading.

The charity, established in 2015, supports unemployed women across the Thames Valley to obtain the clothing, coaching and confidence they need to ‘succeed at job interviews and transform their lives’.

The women supported by Smart Works Reading are often ‘at risk of economic hardship and face significant barriers to employment’ as well as challenges to their confidence and self-belief ‘after repeated rejection’, the charity said.

The service sees trained volunteers dress and style each client in ‘high-quality’ clothing, while also providing professional one-to-one interview coaching.

In its 10 years of operation, Smart Works Reading has delivered more than 4,300 appointments and last year, supported more than 10,000 women back into the workplace, with 67 per cent of clients securing a job within one month.

The charity said it is ‘fortunate to receive many wonderful clothing donations’.

While ‘not every piece is suitable’ for its clients, the clothing items play a ‘vital role’ in the charity’s fundraising efforts through its popular fashion sales.

These events have become the ‘cornerstone of our income’, the charity said.

Quarterly events are held at Reading Minster and local pop-ups also take place, such as the upcoming fashion sale at All Saints Church Hall in Marlow.

Early bird ticket holders will enjoy exclusive access to browse the rails with a glass of prosecco between 6pm and 8pm today (Friday).

The sale will open its doors for general entry from 10am to 3pm on Saturday.

All proceeds will go to Smart Works Reading.

Alex Williams, fundraising trustee at Smart Works Reading, said: “It’s our first ever fashion pop-up sale in Marlow and the response has been phenomenal.

“We have some amazing new with tags stock donated by generous local boutiques and our fashion brand partners - all at up to 70 per cent off.

“What’s more, every penny spent at the sale will go towards funding our transformational job interview dressing and coaching service.

“This is the ultimate guilt-free shopping opportunity.”

Tickets for the early bird event are sold out.