Making a great 1st Impression!
We are so pleased to have established a charity partnership to help women dress to impress at interview. In the springtime, the fantastic organisation 1st Impressions came down to Plymouth to run a pop up styling session for 6 women from our Gifted Women community. Women were able to take home several outfits and pairs of shoes, ready for starting work placements and going for job interviews…
In April 2022, Gifted Women hosted a pop-up wardrobe session - backed by local businesses to help women on its employability programme find clothes and confidence ready for work.
Six women from Gifted Women’s empowering group work programme were invited to the special charity pop-up event at the New Continental Hotel in Plymouth, where volunteer stylists from the 1st Impressions charity will help them to select an interview outfit, from pre-loved clothes donated by women who want to help others into employment.
Gifted Women supports women who are overcoming multiple disadvantages into employment, and invited 1st Impressions, based in Bath, after seeing their work to help women create confident first impressions, including Ukranian refugees, carers, women returning to a work from a career break, and recently women at a local prison.
The 1st Impressions team brought a carefully curated wardrobe to the New Continental Hotel and encouraged women to try on a range of outfits and help them to decide what makes them feel their best. Use of the function room was kindly gifted by the hotel, and we were delighted that VW Murray in Plymouth kindly provided a chauffeur service for women on the day.
Jenny Adjene, Founder and Chair of Trustees at Gifted Women said: “It's been a real joy to see this group of women growing in confidence over the last few months, discovering their gifts and unearthing some hope for the future. To have this inner work complemented by the chance to feel fabulous on the outside too, was be an incredible opportunity. The day was a huge boost for the women and we hope it will help them break down one more barrier in their journey towards employment.”
“We really loved meeting the Gifted Women group,” said Jane Ellis-Brush, Co-founder of 1st Impressions. “We know from experience that help to find the right outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident can be transformative. It sounds very simple but it’s a key step in the journey of getting back into work, or having the confidence to make a change.”
“This is our first pop-up we have done out of our immediate area, and it’s wonderful to see local businesses supporting the event. I hope this will inspire others to get involved too.”
One participant, Stacey - left this lovely feedback:
“I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your time and effort spent on me. You’ve given me not only an opportunity to look awesome at interview, but a basis from which I can kick-start an identity from. Your project makes a significant difference to those lucky enough to receive your support. ”
1st Impressions is a Community Interest Company in Bath. They make a positive impact on women wanting to work by helping them to create confident first impressions at interview. They provide a tailored service, focused on improving individuals’ confidence through wardrobe selection and interview coaching: Leaving the candidate looking good, feeling confident and ready to impress.
Gifted Women is a charity in Tavistock and Plymouth for women who have experienced domestic abuse, homelessness, substance misuse and had contact with the criminal justice system. We run an empowering group work programme, holding space for women to build confidence, grow together in a supportive community and develop the important skills and structure they will need to gain and sustain work. We also match women with local employers for work experience placements and paid work, unlocking the door to employment so that women can move forwards towards the future they hope for.