'Every city needs this support for women'

A charity which supports women who want to get back into work says it has helped 104 clients get job interviews since it was founded in October 2025.

Smart Works Bristol provides personalised interview coaching, clothing and ongoing support to help women gain employment and confidence.

The Office of National Statistics estimates about 9,500 people aged 16 and over are unemployed in Bristol.

Imy Franklin, head of the charity's Bristol Branch, said: "We make women feel like they're worth getting a job and the whole experience here is part of that."

Smart Works operates on a referral basis, with clients referred to the charity from Job Centres, mental health charities, women's refuges, homeless shelters, the prison service, care service and youth organisations.

It offers appointments at their 11 UK centres as well as virtual appointments.

Each woman referred to Smart Works receives one-to-one coaching and a free interview outfit.

If she secures the job, she can return for a second dressing to add to her work wardrobe.

Jaz Froud, who's been unemployed for two-and-a-half months, was referred to Smart Works by her support worker after she secured an interview.

She said: "Money's really difficult at the moment - my situation means having smart professional clothes is the last thing on my mind.

"Coming here and knowing it's a free service for me, to help me, it just takes away that burden in my life, and makes things that little bit easier."

Froud said the coaching built her up and gave her an understanding of what she could work on for upcoming interviews.

"They [Smart Works] need to be in every town, in every city - there's not enough smart works to go around," she added.

Franklin told the BBC the aim of the Bristol branch is to help 1,000 women a year.

"I often think of it as the icing on the cake," she said. "It might be that other services have supported them to the point where they're thinking about going into work, and what we do is make it exciting and shiny and positive.

"We give them an outfit and clothing they feel amazing in. We make them feel like they're worth getting a job and the whole experience here is part of that."

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