Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Our challenge is to cycle 500 miles as a team of 5 over 8 days from the 1^st to the 8^th of March this year. The overall aim is to raise as much money as possible through sponsorship for Smart Works Newcastle.

The 2021 Bellway Cycle for Smart Works team this year are, Simon Scougill, Stephen Weldon, Andi Ruggles, Scott Hunter and Ashleigh Fenwick. 

Smart Works is a UK charity that provides high quality interview clothes and interview training to unemployed women in need. We harness the power of clothes and confidence to allow a woman to be her best at a crucial moment in her life, giving her the confidence, the self-belief and the practical tools required to succeed at interview and transform her life.

Women are referred to us from organisations such as job centres, work programmes, prisons, care homes, homeless shelters and mental health charities. Half have been unsuccessful in over 20 applications. A third have been turned down from over 50 jobs. All are suffering from a lack of confidence in their own abilities.

The tangible impact that our service has on a woman’s confidence is something we have the privilege to witness every day.  The magic begins when she enters the dressing room and is styled into her interview outfit, hers to keep, by trained volunteers. She looks in the mirror and sees a new and impressive version of herself. This is followed by one-to-one interview coaching, after which 65% of our clients go on to get the job.

Now more than ever Smart Works needs our support. The service has been significantly impacted by COVID with funding cuts and increased costs as all services have moved to virtual delivery and clothing parcels are now sent in the post. Any funds raised are vital to the team being able to continue to offer the service.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.