[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Employability charity, Smart Works has launched its annual fundraising challenge to celebrate International Women’s Day 2021.
The Stockport-based charity supports unemployed women across Greater Manchester to gain the skills and confidence to get back into work.
Smart Works is encouraging organisations or groups of friends to enter teams of five into their cycling challenge. Teams have just one week to cycle 500 miles collectively. Cycling starts on 1st March ending on Monday 8th March to celebrate International Women’s Day.
And if teams can’t pedal for a purpose, this year we’re asking them to run the equivalent of a cycle of Greater Manchester – the circumference – over the week. That’s 130 miles – a marathon each.
The surge in unemployment coupled with mental health challenges to stay confident and positive means the charity’s work is more important than ever. Women’s careers are being disproportionately affected by Covid and the women we work with are particularly vulnerable.
They may be referred from job centres, prisons, care homes or shelters and their confidence might be rock bottom. A third of the women have been turned down from over 50 jobs but with the support of Smart Works 65% of clients go on to get the job.
Janibo, started work as a nurse after being supported by Smart Works.
“Smart Works made a tremendous difference to my life in the two short hours I was there. It’s like having little angels come down and make everything better, taking away all your stress and nerves. My experience made me feel valued, special & confident. Keep doing what you do, you help make dreams come true.”
Local businesses Music Magpie, Gunner Cooke, Teleperformance and Downtown in Business have already signed up as well as cyclists from cycling club Team Glow and from Trek Manchester.
Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna commented; “We are delighted to be taking part in this brilliant initiative. Smart Works is a fantastic charity and one that really can make a difference to those who need it. This challenge is a fantastic idea and I would encourage all businesses to try and take part.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” bg_color=”#000000″ scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” bottom_padding=”20″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ font_color=”#ffffff” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]
You can sponsor the Downtown in Business team in their challeneg by clicking the button below.
[/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=”large” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”default_arrow” url=”https://smartworks.enthuse.com/pf/downtown-in-business” text=”Sponsor DIB!” margin_top=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Sign up on the Smart Works website. Sign-ups cost £5 per person and teams will be supported to fundraise and given cycling tips, route-planning advice, invites to Zwift rides, yoga sessions and cheered on as they transform the lives of women in Greater Manchester.
If you have any questions, please contact manchesterevents@smartworks.org.uk. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
