BCT representatives teamed up with Smart Works Manchester and other referral
agencies to celebrate the centre’s first year in operation and learn more about
their important services.
As part of BCT’s wider aftercare provision, our aftercare team have been building
connections across the North West to support our service users through new
opportunities and goals whether that be through wellbeing, family, leisure, or
work focused.
Smart Works support women aged 16 and over, who are unemployed, on zero-hour
contracts or who are seeking new career opportunities.
All women referred can have access to a career coaching session and for anyone who
has an upcoming interview, a free two-hour styling session with interview
outfit to keep.
During the month of February, the Manchester team supported 64 women with interview coaching and clothing ready to go to their interviews, feeling confident and empowered.
BCT’s Family interventions worker Nicola Jaques, who visited the Hanover Street centre said it was a fantastic day to hear the work of many partners across the third sector and also learn more on how to best support the needs of all our service users.
“Working with the team at Smart Works has been wonderful. The energy and investment they give to women who need that boost in confidence, many after difficult or challenging circumstances.
Being able to meet with other partners, see the clothes, hold important conversations is all part of the extended work we do at Beacon Counselling Trust.
Our service users often find themselves wanting to explore new working opportunities or require a need to change roles but may be lacking confidence or are having difficulty in what they want to do next. Being able to have a way of supporting through that and referring to Smart Works is very rewarding.”
