Sheffield charity The Suit Works is helping people step into employment with confidence. Director Faye Mellors shares how the organisation is changing lives across the region.
Could you tell us a bit about The Suit Works and what you do?
The Suit Works is a Sheffield-based charity that provides smartwear for unemployed individuals who are attending interviews or have secured a new job role. We are ‘more than a suit’, and our service goes beyond clothing provision. We believe that everyone has the potential to make a great first impression, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances, disadvantage or challenges in their past.
We provide confidence-building sessions and practical support to enable our clients to feel valued, capable and ready to take their next step. A lack of suitable clothing and a dip in confidence can be a huge barrier to employment. Our unique service ensures we are giving people the greatest opportunity for success.
What originally drew you to the organisation?
Making a positive social impact has been a consistent thread throughout my career. When I met the founder, Vanda Kewley, seven years ago, I immediately felt a strong connection to what she had created and knew I wanted to be part of it. The idea of using fashion as a tool to help people rebuild confidence and access employment really resonated with me.
With a background in fashion, governance and the charity sector, the role felt like a natural fit. It brought together my professional experience and my personal motivation to support people facing barriers to work.
The Suit Works goes beyond providing clothing – it offers confidence and dignity at a pivotal moment in someone’s life. How do you measure the impact of that support?
We go far beyond providing clothing. Referrers and supporters who visit our HQ are often pleasantly surprised by the space we have created. It is bright and welcoming, which instantly helps our clients relax. We do not want to be seen as another ‘service’ that people simply access and tick off a list.
When someone is referred to us, we want them to see our online presence and our reviews and feel positive about taking that step. It is also important to say that we do not dictate what someone has to wear. We get to know their personalities and show them how they can be themselves in a professional environment. We adapt their style to ensure it is appropriate for the interview ahead, and that is where confidence ultimately comes from.
We measure our impact in a variety of ways. One obvious measure is how many people are successful at their job interviews. Around 68% of our clients are successful at their first interview after visiting us, which is a fantastic statistic.
However, we also look at improvements in confidence. If someone is not successful at their first interview, does that make them a failure? Absolutely not. We look at the impact that growing confidence levels have. Some clients go on to succeed at another interview, pursue further education or training, or decide to take on a volunteer role to build their experience. All of these outcomes are signs that our clients are gaining confidence and moving closer to financial independence.
What changes do you typically see in clients between walking through the door and leaving for their interview?
This is our favourite part. When clients arrive, they can often be unsure about what to expect, or unaware of how impactful their appointment with us will be. Many arrive with low confidence or a sense of doubt about whether the service can benefit them.
After a cup of tea, an hour with us in our styling rooms and the chance to see themselves in a different light, we often see a change in confidence levels. Sometimes we even notice a difference in how they walk and communicate with us compared with when they first arrived.
We recently received feedback from a client who had been on a long personal journey over several years. Even though she had secured an interview, she still was not sure how to navigate this new world or whether she was ready. The feedback she left was: “You turned me from a something to a somebody.” That really captures what we are about.
Have you noticed any shifts in demand over the past few years, particularly in light of the cost-of-living crisis?
Yes, absolutely. Over the past four years we have seen a 25% increase in referrals year on year. While we are not a frontline service, we are part of the infrastructure that helps rebuild lives and supports individuals towards renewed financial independence.
We see people from a wide variety of backgrounds. No two clients are the same. Since the cost-of-living crisis, we have seen an even more diverse client base. We are extremely grateful to play a small part in helping people rebuild their lives.
How can local businesses in Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region get involved in a meaningful way?
Local businesses across Sheffield and the wider region can make a powerful difference to the people we support. Many already get involved by running clothing drives, donating high-quality workwear or organising team volunteering days, and these contributions are incredibly valuable.
However, to continue operating and grow our impact, financial support and corporate sponsorship are absolutely vital. Like many charities, our day-to-day running costs – from premises and staffing to outreach and service delivery – are largely met through donations and partnerships.
When local businesses support The Suit Works, they are not only supporting a charity. They are helping people across the region move into work, build confidence and achieve long-term independence. Meaningful involvement can take many forms, but sustainable funding is what enables us to be there for the people who need us most.
Looking ahead, what would success for The Suit Works look like five years from now?
Success for The Suit Works would mean continuing to thrive and reaching every individual who could benefit from our service. I have always said I never want to hear the words: “I wish TSW was still around – wasn’t that a great service?”
To make sure that never happens, we must continue responding to the needs of our clients while adapting to a changing world. And in five years’ time, we may well have revisited our expansion plans – watch this space.
