‘Working Wardrobe’ scheme launched to help Welsh job-seekers dress for success

Scheme will provide high-quality interview and work wear to people looking for employment

A pioneering project that distributes high-quality interview and work outfits to job seekers in South Wales has been officially launched.

The Working Wardrobe initiative aims to give people the confidence to take their first step towards a new role or career by donating free interview and work attire from hubs across Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Caerphilly and the Vale of Glamorgan.

There are 47,000 people over the age of 16 currently unemployed in Wales, or 3.1% of the population, while almost 230,000 workers in Wales were employed in sectors shut down by social distancing measures to restrict the spread of Covid-19.

Working Wardrobe was set up to distribute donations of new and lightly used interview and work attire to job seekers in need of a helping hand.  The project was developed by a partnership between housing recruitment agency Moxie People, law firm Blake Morgan, housing associations Cadwyn, Newydd Housing, United Welsh, Tai Calon Community Housing and Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), along with mental health and social change charity Platfform, design agency Bluegg and Tramshed Tech.

The scheme was officially launched at Cardiff’s Tramshed on Thursday 17 March where donated outfits were showcased on a purpose-made catwalk alongside street food vendors and a fundraising auction. The fashion show was co-ordinated by Cardiff Met fashion students and volunteers.

Blake Morgan, the official Working Wardrobe partner for 2022, will support the scheme by encouraging staff to donate high-quality, new or gently used professional workwear to be distributed to job seekers across South Wales. The firm will also run interactive sessions around employability and interview skills.

Louise Howells, Partner with Blake Morgan, explained:

“We are proud to partner with Working Wardrobe, which will help give job seekers from some of our most deprived communities the opportunity to look and feel the part on their big day, whether that’s an interview or their first day in the office.

“We know that being dressed for success can give people the confidence and self-belief to take that all-important first step towards applying for a job.

“With working patterns changing at the firm and less need for daily formal wear, many of us had a surplus of smart office wear so it’s great to put those clothes to good use.

“Working Wardrobe will make a huge difference to so many lives, and we are proud to play our part in that.”

Rich Thomas, the co-founder of Moxie People and the Working Wardrobe project, said:

“Finding secure employment has the power to transform individual and family lives while strengthening the wider economy. Working Wardrobe is all about building people up and giving them the opportunity to secure sustainable employment – which we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access.

“Clothes make such a difference to people’s confidence, because when you’re dressed for success, you can take on the world. Thanks to their amazing generosity, our partners will help to transform thousands of lives over the coming year, one outfit at a time.”

Businesses keen to get involved in Working Wardrobe can find out more by emailing workingwardrobe@moxiepeople.com.