My journey at Smart Works

My journey at Smart Works
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As I sit down to reflect on my time at Smart Works, I can’t help but feel a rush of gratitude, warmth, and fulfillment. It’s hard to put into words just how much this experience has meant to me, but what I can say with certainty is that these 2 months have been transformative—both for me and for the women I had the privilege of working with. My journey with Smart Works has been one of empathy, resilience, and a shared desire to uplift others, and it’s an experience I’ll always carry with me.

A Workshop That Changed Perspectives

One of the most impactful moments of my Leadership in Action Project came on the very first day, when I truly realized the significance of the journey I was about to begin with Smart Works. During a workshop at Luminary Bakery, I actively supported the Smart Works team, Elizabeth and Fiona, as we guided 12 incredible women in preparing for job interviews. I took on the role of assisting in mock interviews, offering feedback, and helping clients build their confidence.

The women attending the workshop were so much more than participants—they were courageous, determined individuals eager to learn and grow. I worked closely with them, encouraging their openness to new ideas and facilitating discussions that allowed them to share their stories. Through these interactions, I built a rapport with the clients, making sure they felt heard and understood. We laughed together, we learned together, and in those few short hours, I felt a shift in my perspective. I realized that providing someone with the confidence to believe in themselves, even for a moment, can be one of the most powerful contributions I could make.

The Power of Patience and Understanding

At the heart of Smart Works is the belief that every woman deserves to feel confident and capable—a mission I embraced while working at the Smart Works West office. During dressing appointments, I supported volunteers Kate and Katherine in guiding clients through selecting outfits, offering suggestions, and creating a comfortable environment. I learned to balance listening to their needs with providing advice to build their confidence.

Ana and Inaaya, two clients with very different personalities and needs, left a lasting impression on me. Ana had specific preferences that required extra patience and thoughtfulness as we explored different options together. With Inaaya, I channeled her enthusiasm into making the experience fun and uplifting, celebrating her excitement when she found the perfect outfit. It was incredibly rewarding to see both women leave with a renewed sense of confidence, ready to take on their interviews. These experiences underscored the importance of empathy and the ability to adapt to each client’s needs—skills that I was able to develop and apply during my time at Smart Works.

Finding Purpose Through Challenges

Each week at Smart Works presented new challenges that pushed me to grow, but also offered rewarding experiences that deepened my impact. One of my key responsibilities was helping with various aspects of a bake sale at the Smart Works North Centre. I supported planning logistics, engaging the local community, and ensuring a smooth event, which taught me how event management and community engagement can work hand in hand to create meaningful connections. Additionally, working closely with the communications team, under Lily's guidance, I played an active role in crafting stories that highlighted our mission, gaining valuable insight into how storytelling can effectively reach those who need our support.

I also attended an event at Croydon Voluntary Action, where I participated in breakout groups focused on discussing the future of Croydon’s community. Here, I took an active listening role, contributing to conversations and ensuring that the voices of community members were heard. This experience reinforced the importance of truly understanding community needs and responding thoughtfully to them—lessons I carried forward in my work at Smart Works.

A significant milestone during my internship was organizing three "Coffee and Connect" sessions with Outreach Manager Anna. I took the lead in planning and facilitating these sessions, which allowed me to build bridges with referral partners and strategize on outreach efforts. These sessions were not just about networking; they were opportunities to strengthen partnerships and develop strategies to reach and support more women in need.

Overcoming Barriers: An Emotional Encounter

One of the most challenging yet rewarding moments during my time at Smart Works came when I represented the organization at a job fair in Epsom, primarily supporting Ukrainian clients. The language barrier posed a real difficulty, but I embraced the challenge and sought to connect with clients on a deeper level. During the fair, I met a woman—a trained physiotherapist—struggling to find employment in London due to language constraints and licensing hurdles. She was on the brink of giving up and felt immense pressure to return home, where societal expectations threatened her dream of pursuing her career.

I spent half an hour speaking with her, using a mix of broken Urdu and Hindi to bridge the language gap. As she shared her struggles, I listened attentively, providing encouragement and practical advice about navigating the job market. Our conversation extended beyond job search strategies—it became a dialogue about resilience and holding onto one’s aspirations despite adversity. She confided in me about the racism and gender discrimination she had faced, and I offered her not just career guidance, but hope. Leaving that conversation, I felt deeply moved, proud to have made a tangible difference in someone's journey, and inspired by the strength that so many women carry within them.

Building Lasting Partnerships

One of the most rewarding achievements during my time at Smart Works as an Outreach Intern was my role in helping to establish a new partnership with ISR Leadership. I spearheaded the initial conversation with their chairman, where I introduced him to the mission of Smart Works and highlighted the mutual benefits of collaboration. To ensure a successful partnership, I researched and prepared tailored materials that demonstrated the impact of our work, making a compelling case for ISR Leadership’s involvement.

In the following days, I coordinated and facilitated discussions, aligning goals, clarifying expectations, and managing any potential concerns from both sides. My role required keen attention to detail as I drafted initial partnership outlines, scheduled follow-up meetings, and ensured consistent communication to keep momentum strong. I also provided feedback to our internal team, refining our approach to better match ISR Leadership’s objectives.

When we reached the final stages—securing the signature on the Memorandum of Understanding—I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. This partnership symbolizes not just the culmination of my hard work, but also a bridge that will continue to support and empower women long after my internship ends, creating new opportunities for clients to thrive professionally.

The Heart of Smart Works: A Sisterhood of Support

If I had to sum up my time at Smart Works in one word, it would be "empowering." But not just for the women we helped—this experience empowered me, too. It’s one thing to hear about the power of community, empathy, and collaboration; it’s another thing entirely to live it, to see it in action every day. The all-women environment fostered an atmosphere of support, encouragement, and understanding. It was more than a workplace—it felt like a sisterhood.

A Lasting Impact

Smart Works is more than just an organization; it’s a movement, a force for good in the lives of women who need it most. And I am so proud to have been a small part of that. This isn’t the end of my journey with Smart Works—it’s just the beginning. I look forward to continuing to support their mission and to carrying the spirit of empowerment with me wherever I go.

 

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