Spin, spin and spin some more for Smart Works

Wavestone UK has recently completed the Spin500 challenge, raising over £4,000 for charity

To celebrate International Women’s Day, 20 Wavestone UK employees, which is about a fifth of the office, took part in the Spin for Smart Works challenge.

The aim of this challenge was to cycle 500 miles collectively in teams of five over 8 days to raise funds for Smart Works charity.   The team clocked an impressive 2,035 miles in total and even more impressively over £4,000 for the charity.

Taking part in this challenge was the first official action for Women of Wavestone, a community created to promote diversity and gender equality topics within Wavestone UK; and it was the largest fundraising effort to date in our UK office. Supporting Smart Works goes hand in hand with our global 2021 CSR commitments to have a positive social footprint and to be a responsible employer.

Who are Smart Works?

Smart Works is a UK charity that provides unemployed women in need with high quality interview clothes and interview training. Smart Works impacts a woman’s confidence by providing her with one-to-one interview training and styling into her interview outfit. An impressive 60% of Smart Works clients go on to get the job.

HRH The Duchess of Sussex has become the Royal Patron of Smart Works, which will help them to achieve their goal of helping women be the best that they can be and creating enough centres nationwide to reach every woman who needs the help of Smart Works.

‘Thank you so much to everyone at Wavestone for supporting Spin for Smart Works 2019. Together you cycled over 2000 miles and raised £4000 for Smart Works. It costs £72 to dress and coach a client for her job interview, meaning that Wavestone will help 55 women in their journey into employment and transform their lives. We are so appreciative of your hard work, dedication and passion for Smart Works and look forward to working together in the future.’ Charlotte Owens, Smart Works

Smart Works was named ‘Social Action Charity of the Year in 2017’ at the National Charity Awards.

A few reflective words from the Spinners

“I felt really inspired by Smart Works’ mission and actions and was really eager to help support them in a way. When I found out about this Spinning challenge, I thought it would be a great opportunity to do something concrete for Smart Works, whilst participating in a motivating, fun and healthy week with my colleagues – and setting a big challenge for myself!!!”

Roxane Bohin, Consultant

“I was inspired to take part in the challenge after hearing about the great work that the charity does through colleagues who had volunteered a day to help clean out the stock room in 2018. When the opportunity came up to support this cause in some capacity, it was a no-brainer for me to put my hand up to get involved (even if I am no good at cycling!!).”

Ross Casserly, Consultant

“The work that Smart Works does, resonates with me and I truly believe that the money fundraised throughout the Spin Challenge can have a tangible impact and bring positive change in a woman’s life.”

Marta Koscielak, Consultant

Find out more about Smart Works here