Smart Works Reading

We are delighted to have been awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups. In this podcast we talk to four women who have been involved with Smart Works Reading; Sarah Burns MBE, the Chair of our Board of Trustees, Melanie Prater, volunteer head of stock, Claire Murdoch, volunteer trustee, and one of our clients, Summreen. Host LJ Stocks chats with them about the history of Smart Works Reading, as well as what motivates and inspires our volunteers, and the impact that has on our clients.

Smart Works Reading and fashion label founder Louisa Parris share a common passion - versatile, high quality and unique women's clothing that makes us feel fabulous. Alongside this runs a shared goal - challenging gender bias, fighting for equality and working to build women up to succeed. With International Women's Day calling us to #ChooseToChallenge, host LJ Stocks talks to Louisa Parris about her inspiration, her vision for the future, and her top tips for women looking to run their own business.

Here at Smart Works Reading, we build confidence from the outside in! When we look smart, we feel smart, so this Christmas we are encouraging everyone to Give the Gift of Confidence.

In this podcast, host LJ Stocks chats to Jodie Evans, Business Manager at Olivia May, the ultimate shopping destination for niche international designers. We talk about what makes us feel confident, and some quick and easy tips to give us that extra confidence boost.

Reading based Holy Brook Associates have chosen Smart Works Reading as their charity partner of the year. In this episode, host LJ Stocks talks to Rachel Eden, Director of Holy Brook Associates, about Corporate Social Responsibility, how they choose a charity partner, and exactly what that means. They also chat about the 'Give 5 for 5' campaign to celebrate Smart Works Reading's fifth anniversary and how you can get involved.

In our third episode of the 'Smart Works Shorts' podcast series, we stare into the 'self-view' function mirror. Video calls have become the norm, but why are we so obsessed with the self-view function, and how can we train ourselves to ignore it, or turn it off.  Ruth Aitken, client manager at a global tech company and also a Smart Works Reading volunteer interview coach, guides us to see just how distracting that little 'mirror' can be and what we can do about it.

Our second episode in the 'Smart Works Shorts' podcast series, we take a look at dressing for in-person and virtual interviews. With the increase in video call interviews, how can we still ensure we look our best, to give the best impression? Maggie McMillan, Head Dresser and Trustee at Smart Works Reading, shares her top tips for looking your best.

In our first 'Smart Works Shorts' podcast series we look at owning our apologies. What makes us apologise so much and how can we take control? We hear from Ruth Aitken, a client manager at a global tech company and also one of our volunteer interview coaches. She gives us her five top tips to own our apologies.

Smart Works Reading and fashion label With Nothing Underneath have teamed up to celebrate International Women's Day 2020. Founder Pip Durell talks to host LJ Stocks about their 'one for one' donation offer and we look more at the 'Each for Equal' theme that runs through International Women's Day on the 8th March.

All you need to know about the Smart Talks: Wellness event, hosted by Smart Works Reading on the 24th January. This wellness event is a chance to refresh, relax and renew, and in this podcast our event host, Toni Kent talks to LJ Stocks about who's coming, what's happening and why you should definitely be there.