A WEEK-LONG charity appeal on BBC Radio 4 has been raising money for a Reading charity, which helps women get into employment.

The appeal is broadcast by English fashion designer Betty Jackson, who is a patron of Smart Works.

The charity help women have the confidence to go back into employment by supplying them with interview tips and clothing.

Women are referred to the charity from job centres, work programmes, prisons, care homes, homeless shelters and mental health charities.

Sarah Burns, chair of Smart Works Reading, said: “During each women's visit you see their barriers lower and confidence rise, it is a very uplifting experience for all involved.

“We are passionate about improving the lives of women & making a difference in our local community.

“The support and increased awareness Smart Works will receive from working with the BBC Radio 4 appeal is fantastic.”

The Radio 4 show focuses on one of the charities clients, who was determined to get back to work after quitting her diploma to care for her grandfather.

Betty Jackson said: “It is magical to see when a client walks in having lost her confidence wanting to get a job and being cared for and looked after by our trained volunteers.

“It is so simple because wearing the right clothes changes her whole attitude towards herself.”

The idea behind the program is to help the charity provide their service to more women across the UK.

For more information about the charity visit: https://smartworks.org.uk/reading-smart-works/about-us/.