Beyondly’s Fund for Change Helps Smart Works Empower Women Towards Employment
Beyondly is delighted to continue supporting the inspiring work of Smart Works Leeds for 2025/26, providing vital funding for the second consecutive year. Smart Works Leeds are one of the selected charities we are proud to support through our Fund for Change initiative – a commitment to donating 5% of our net profit to charity and community projects delivering positive impact on the planet and society.
Smart Works Leeds is a charity that empower unemployed women through coaching, clothing and confidence - providing women facing barriers to employment with life-changing one-to-one coaching and bespoke interview dressing consultations.
Beyondly’s grant for 2024/25 funded the employment of Smart Works Leeds’ North Yorkshire Outreach Assistant; forming partnerships and connections to reach more women who need the charity's support, and delivering valuable clinics and sessions. In the first 9 months of her career with Smart Works, she formed an outstanding 38 partnerships with local organisations, creating a network that has supported 112 women in North Yorkshire through 160 appointments, and an additional 74 women across other high priority areas. 100% of the women supported as a direct result of the Outreach Assistant’s work saw an increase in their confidence, and an amazing 74% who received their support secured employment within just one month.
As Smart Works recently appointed Outreach Assistant, she has been praised for being an integral part of the team, and the transformational impact she has had on the lives of hundreds of women in the community. Beyondly is therefore thrilled to continue funding her employment with Smart Works for the second year. The grant for 2025/26 has enabled Smart Works to guarantee her role for another year, expanding outreach further as they aim to support at least 180 women in North Yorkshire.
In just the first 3 months of her second year with Smart Works, her incredible work has already seen 17 local organisations (including job centres, community groups, charities, training providers, education institutions, the council and the local prison) make referrals. 47 women have accessed Smart Works Leeds’ services within these 3 months, with 15 of those going on to secure a job – a true testament to her passion and commitment to helping women thrive and succeed on their employment journey, regardless of their circumstances.
Reflecting on the impact Beyondly's funding has had on the charity, and the Outreach Assistant’s fundamental role, Lottie, Outreach Manager at Smart Works Leeds, commented: “She had been an amazing asset for our small team as a volunteer at events, and I passionately wanted to help her fulfil her goal of working for us. We were thrilled to secure your amazing funding for her role. She has been hugely successful at building key partnerships across North Yorkshire, and her ability to listen to women and share her own story inspires and empowers others to follow their goals.”
We are excited to follow the incredible work Smart Works will continue to deliver with Beyondly’s support this year, helping create meaningful, lasting impact for women and the community. Click here for more information on Beyondly’s Fund for Change initiative and how to apply. 2026/27 Fund for Change applications will open from 1st April until 31st August, with decisions on selected charities made by 30th September.
