Empowering Women Across Generations: Newcastle High School for Girls Partners with Smart Works as Whole-School Charity for 2025
Big news for Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG)! They recently announced Smart Works Newcastle as its whole-school charity partner for 2025 – a partnership that they say reflects NHSG and Smar t Works’ shared commitment to supporting girls and women to achieve their full potential.
A truly fantastic mission.
Smart Works Newcastle supports women into work by helping to build confidence, self-esteem and independence through interview coaching and providing them with an interview outfit.
As a leading all-girl school, NHSG is similarly focused on female empowerment, making the partnership one that is built on a shared ethos to enable girls and women to be their best selves – whether in school or taking part in job interviews.
Fostering confidence and self-belief to empower girls and women is essential
The partnership is already making an impact. NHSG pupils have volunteered at the Smart Works Newcastle centre, contributing their time and energy to assist with key operations.
Similarly, staff, parents and pupils have rallied together for successful clothes drives, collecting high quality interview clothing to support the women accessing the charity’s support.
Amanda Hardie, Head Teacher of Newcastle High School for Girls, said: “It’s a real pleasure to be partnering with Smart Works this year, especially as the foundation of our school’s mission aligns so closely with theirs. Fostering confidence and self-belief to empower girls and women is essential in helping them achieve their aspirations, whether it’s a girl pursuing her education or a woman striving to secure employment.”
Smart Works Newcastle provides vital assistance to women struggling to enter the workforce, many of whom face significant barriers to employment. For instance, 1 in 3 Smart Works clients is a single parent, and 40% have been out of work for over a year.
Despite these challenges, the charity’s impact is undeniable: 63% of clients secure a job within one month of accessing the service.
Helen Boyd, Centre Manager, Smart Works Newcastle said: “We are delighted that Newcastle High School for Girls has chosen Smart Works Newcastle as its charity for 2025.
“We both share a mission to support and empower women, and one of our focuses for 2025 is to make sure the service is accessible for young women starting out in their careers, so this partnership has come at a perfect time.”
Future collaboration between the two organisations include:
- Clothing Collections: NHSG pupils will organise a series of clothing donation drives with the wider NHSG community
- Fundraising Events: A series of school-wide fundraising activities will take place throughout the year, bringing the NHSG community together in support of Smart Works’ mission.
- Volunteering: NHSG pupils will be volunteering at Smart Works Newcastle by getting involved in clothing stock management and display.
Amanda Hardie added: “The support Smart Works provides extends far beyond clothes – it’s about changing lives. Our partnership is a powerful example of how two organisations, united by a shared commitment to female empowerment, can come together to make a lasting difference.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Congratulations to NHSG on their inspiring partnership with Smart Works Newcastle! It seems this collaboration perfectly aligns with NHSG’s values and demonstrates a genuine commitment to empowering young women.
“By supporting Smart Works, NHSG is not only making a significant contribution to the North East community, but also providing its students with valuable opportunities to learn about social responsibility and make a real difference in the lives of others.”
Newcastle High School for Girls is a Schools North East Partner School. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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