'Overwhelming donations' help Sheffield charity get students into work

Nacro Education Sheffield works with the most disadvantaged young people in the city, helping them to gain qualifications and develop skills needed to enter employment or further education.

At the start of this year, it launched Work Ready Clothing Bank to ensure that students had appropriate clothing to wear for interviews and work placements, which many often do not have.

Centre manager, Ruth Puckett, said: “I’ve been absolutely blown away by the generosity of people; we’ve had so many items of clothing donated including really beautiful Phase8 and Karen Millen dresses and Ted Baker suits.

“These clothes will make all the difference to our learners.

“Not having the right clothing to wear to a job interview, or to a work placement, can really knock their confidence. To them it’s just another thing that visibly marks them as different, but now it’s not something they need to worry about.

“I just wanted to do something to try and help our learners out. We can prepare them educationally, but sometimes everybody needs the little confidence boost that comes from feeling like you look the part.

“I’m so thankful to everyone that has donated. Every item will help someone we work with prepare for work.”

Ruth had put out a plea on Facebook, asking if any friends or locals had spare workwear sitting in their wardrobes that they were happy to donate.

Within a few weeks, rails and boxes of clothing had been donated to the centre - which is based on Earl Street - for learners to wear and borrow.

Many of the young people helped by the charity have overcome big challenges in their lives and not having appropriate clothing can be an obstacle to their progression into employment.

Two of the students who have been helped by the scheme include Mo and Adam.

Mo said: “I would like to thank everyone for the donation of clothing for the misfortunate students at Nacro. This has really helped them to focus on living and allows the parents to feed us and keep the houses topped up on bills instead of worrying about clothes. This helps us to focus on what is important.”

Adam Zafer added: “We are thoroughly grateful, especially as our country is in such tough and testing times due to Covid-19, as when everyone is affected, that some people would still help us with this gesture. These clothes will help us look smart, prepared and eager to secure a job and help us in our lives.”

Work Ready Clothing Bank offers clothing in a range of colours and sizes, meaning that many students can benefit.

Nacro Education ‘offers everyone a chance in life’ and delivers GCSE tuition, functional skill courses, work employment programmes and professional recognised qualifications to disadvantaged young people at centres across the UK.

For more information, visit the website here.

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