Dragons’ Den star signs up for ambassador role with charity

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A North East charity which helps unemployed women get back to work by providing interview coaching and clothing has appointed one of the region’s best known businesswomen to promote its cause.

Smart Works Newcastle has brought Crafter’s Companion founder and Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies MBE on board as an ambassador.

Her role will see her act as a figurehead for Smart Works’ operations in the North East to support its plans to increase the number of women it helps to gain employment through its coaching and dressing service.

She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to join the Smart Works family and honoured to represent the charity as a North East ambassador.

“Smart Works does a tremendous job of helping women gain confidence and realise their true potential. Their dressing and coaching service, and additional network of support, are invaluable to the women who are trying to re-enter, or have newly entered, the world of work.

“I’m proud to play a part in helping women to achieve their employment aspirations by raising awareness of the incredible, life-changing services that Smart Works offers.”

Smart Works is a national, volunteer-led charity which was set up in 2013 in London and has since opened branches in a number of cities around the UK. The Newcastle branch was set up in 2018.

It helps hundreds of women get back to work each year through a referral network that includes Job Centre Plus. As well as offering interview clothes, it has a network of volunteer coaches who offer tips for job interviews.

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Sophie Milliken, chair of Smart Works Newcastle said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sara as ambassador for our charity – she is joining us at an exciting time as we plan to increase the number of women that we help in our region.

“We are planning a big volunteer recruitment drive to find more trustees, coaches and stylists, and we are also looking to recruit a marketing and fundraising lead and a referral and outreach lead to support these aims.

“Sara is a perfect fit for Smart Works Newcastle and we look forward to working with her.”