Yorkshire Building Society support local women

Senior leaders from Yorkshire Building Society’s digital and marketing teams joined forces with employment charity Smart Works to support a major jobs fair in Bradford, aimed at helping local women overcome barriers to employment.

Held at Bradford City Football Club on 25th September, the event marked the launch of Smart Works’ expansion into Bradford, made possible by a substantial grant from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation’s Building Bradford Skills Fund. The fair welcomed 225 women, offering them access to employers, training providers, and tailored employment support.

Volunteers from Yorkshire Building Society played an active role throughout the day, helping to run the CV clinic, offering one-to-one advice to prospective candidates, and supporting the smooth running of the event. Their involvement reflects the Society’s commitment to building stronger communities and supporting inclusive employment opportunities.

The Charitable Foundation’s funding will allow Smart Works to establish a local team and deliver its proven coaching and clothing service to women across the city, helping to address barriers such as lack of confidence and limited work experience.

Tina Hughes, director of digital and marketing at Yorkshire Building Society, said: “It was incredibly rewarding to meet so many talented women and help them take the next step in their journey. The energy and ambition in the room was inspiring, and it was a privilege to be part of such a meaningful initiative.

“We’re so proud that Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation has supported Smart Works’ expansion into Bradford. The Building Bradford Skills Fund was created to tackle challenges around skills and employment in the district. By enabling charities like Smart Works to deliver targeted support, we’re helping to build a stronger, more prosperous future for the city.”

Lottie Roberts, communication and outreach manager at Smart Works Leeds, who are Yorkshire Businesswoman's charity of the year said: “There are over 8,000 women in Bradford who could benefit from our service. Thanks to the generous support of Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation, we’re now able to reach more of them. We’re excited to build new partnerships and embed our service in the heart of Bradford’s communities.”

Smart Works Leeds has supported over 3,000 women across Yorkshire since its launch in 2019, with more than two-thirds securing employment within a month of accessing the service. After working with Smart Works, 96% of women report a boost in confidence.

As part of its expansion, Smart Works is also delivering bespoke group workshops in Bradford focused on confidence building, digital skills, CV writing, and interview preparation.

Smart Works is one of four beneficiaries of the Building Bradford Skills Fund, a £1 million initiative launched by Yorkshire Building Society to support employment-focused projects in some of Bradford’s most deprived wards.

To learn more about Smart Works or to get involved, visit Smart Works Leeds or email bradford@smartworks.org.uk.