SOS Group supports women into work

A Tyneside-based office technology provider is teaming up with a national employment charity to empower women in the North East to secure meaningful employment opportunities.

Award-winning SOS Group, which specialises in IT, print and communication solutions, has partnered with Smart Works Newcastle, an organisation dedicated to helping women into work by providing interview clothing and coaching. 

Andrew Skelton, director at SOS Group, said: “We’re passionate about supporting the local community and proud to be part of a team effort to support woman over obstacles to get into work.

“No doubt there are many women out there with the potential to become valued workplace members and we greatly admire the work of Smart Works in helping them to reach that goal. 

“Lack of suitable interview clothes and a need to improve on interview techniques are barriers we can help overcome and we’re pleased to be playing a small part in making that happen.”

The charity, which has a 63 per cent success rate of clients finding jobs within a month, aims to assist 1,000 women annually. 

Established in 2018, Smart Works Newcastle is part of a UK-wide network that supported over 8,000 women last year, including 500 locally.

The collaboration sees SOS Group offering a clothing donation station at its Team Valley base, transport assistance with the company’s vans, and office equipment to reduce operational costs for the charity. 

The firm also recently supported Smart Works Newcastle’s ‘Festive Fashion and Fizz’ sale, helping raise over £10,000.

Helen Boyd, Smart Works Newcastle centre manager, added: “We are so grateful to partner with SOS who are providing vital logistical support for our fundraising events, a Team Valley donation station, making it easier for supporters to drop off donations and office equipment.

“It remains a challenging time for small charities like Smart Works Newcastle, so support like this become a vital way for us to save time and money to focus on our core mission to support North East women into employment.”

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