The work of Smart Works Leeds, giving the practical and inspirational help for unemployed women to access jobs, is work that’s very close to our hearts. Currently the charity helps an amazing, more than one-in-two of their clients gain employment. But funding is vital for the ‘coaching, clothes and confidence’ that Smart Works provide, so we set ourselves a team challenge to raise £1,000 by cycling 500 miles, to help.

Cycling challenge

We threw ourselves into our cycle challenge by setting up stationary bikes in the office so that we could clock up the miles in combination with our work and the need to be at our desks. With International Women’s Day just a few weeks away, this gave us even more motivation to help this important charity that empowers women to better lives, many of whom are single mothers in the Yorkshire region.

With aching muscles, but smiling faces, we are ecstatic to report that we smashed our 500-mile target, achieving 598 miles, and consequently our £1,000 goal too. What a great way to start the year at 300 North! Our amount raised currently stands at £1,335 and we are so thankful and grateful to all who supported us, which goes on to help more women gain employment through Smart Works Leeds.

Fire and inspiration for women in the workplace

On 27th February, we attended the Smart Talk, ‘Reigniting the Fire in You’ at PWC in Leeds, held by Smart Works. As part of their work to inspire and empower women, Smart Works hold talks, aimed at tapping into women’s bravery, confidence and potential. We were lucky enough to hear from two special guest speakers: Lisa Unwin and Lisa Clifford, both with amazing stories to tell who got everyone in the room ‘fired-up’ by the power of the mind and being ‘reignited’ to achieve success!

Lisa Unwin, author of ‘She’s Back: Your Guide to Returning to Work’

Lisa found herself ‘careerless’ after a six-year break following a successful senior management career with Arthur Andersen and Deloitte. She talked to us about her journey, from the realisation that she still had so much potential to offer, to setting up, with two other women, the Reignite Academy, dedicated to helping women return to work and restart their professional careers. It was extremely inspiring to listen to Lisa’s story, who is living proof that women can go on to achieve their ambitions, aspirations and dreams, and even more – be an inspiration to other women who need the confidence to go forward.

Lisa Clifford, aka The Fire Igniter!

Lisa is a keynote speaker and high-performance coach who teaches people to unlock their inner power for the lives and futures they want. Lisa teaches fire-walking! If you believe you can walk across burning coals, then you can! Lisa envisioned her own future in 2003, and began a journey of retraining in NLP, hypnosis and coaching before setting up her own business. Now she delivers training to leaders. She is known for getting people on their feet; she certainly did that, and was fascinating and truly inspirational to listen to. In a world where so much holds us back, she teaches women to listen to their hearts and build their self-belief, with amazing results.

Now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Smart Works Leeds has adapted the profile of their service and upcoming events. On 1st April, we were scheduled to attend an Exclusive Spring Shopping Event, in partnership with John Lewis, to learn more about the work that Smart Works do to support women into employment, and raise funds for their important work. This event has now been re-planned for 15th September. Watch this space for updates nearer to the time!

They will also be running a webinar series with Lisa Clifford based around "mindset". Topics will include: your vision, your value, building self trust, building self confidence and hope.

Please have a look at the Lisa Clifford Webinar Series Intro ,giving an idea what it will be all about. The series will start on Wednesday 8th April at 12.30 on Zoom. Reserve Your Space, one not to be missed!

As a supporter of this charity, and of women into meaningful and life-enhancing employment opportunities, we are proud to be involved and excited at the future opportunities to raise more funds, support and awareness.

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300 North are the Facilities Management recruitment specialists providing permanent, temporary and interim solutions to the UK Facilities Management, Mechanical & Electrical and Construction sectors. Get in touch to find out how we can help you with your recruitment needs by visiting our website home page or calling us on 0113 336 5161.