Housing Groups mark International Women’s Day with support for Smart Works

Equity Housing Group and Women In Social Housing (WISH) North West have celebrated International Women’s Day by providing financial support to local charity, Smart Works Greater Manchester.

Equity, a social housing provider, with properties across the North West, teamed with WISH NW, a business and support network for the social housing sector, to raise £1,000 for Smart Works, the charity that provides support, free interview training and high-quality interview clothing to women across Greater Manchester.

WISH is a national organisation that provides a range of activities, supporting the social housing sector, including networking events and personal development workshops. WISH reshapes and positively disrupts the housing marketplace, creating a more diverse workforce representing the communities it works in.

The cheque was presented this International Women’s Day to the Manager of Smart Works, Fiona Gunnion, and Vice Chair, Clare Rafferty. It was followed by a networking opportunity for women working in the North West’s social housing sector.

Smart Works as a charity, resonates with Equity Housing Group as over 20 of its customers have benefited from the interview advice and guidance offered to women by the charity.

Collette King, Chief Executive at Equity Housing Group, said:

At Equity, we are passionate about making a lasting difference to our residents’ lives. Whether it is supporting them as they find work or providing financial advice. We work with residents to ensure everyone has access to the tools required to support a happy and healthy life.

“Working with, and benefiting women across Manchester, we wanted to honour International Women’s Day by presenting Smart Works with this cheque. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact this donation will have on customers of our own communities.”

Sasha Deepwell, Chair at WISH NW, added:

As a women-focused group working in social housing, we know the difficulties a family can face if one person is out of work, and the contributions women can make. Often, it is not a lack of qualifications or ability that is preventing women from securing employment, rather a lack of confidence. This is something that Smart Works helps with, creating a positive impact in households, and wider communities, across Manchester.”

Fiona Gunnion, Manager at Smart Works, said:

The donation made by Equity Housing Group and WISH will enable Smart Works to support more local women as they try to find employment.  Many women fear interviews because they aren’t aware of interviewing techniques and they don’t have a work-appropriate wardrobe, particularly if they have been out of work for a long time. We want to give women the confidence to feel that they can be successful at interview, secure employment and make a long-term difference to their family and community.”