Following an appeal on social media, the Carlisle branch of employability charity Inspira has been on a mission to provide ‘interview ready kits’ for their clients.
Donations from Cumbrian businesses including Story Contracting, H&H Reeds Printers and Bechtel Cavendish Nuclear Solutions have helped make up the kits.
The kits will include items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, body wash and soap, deodorant and body sprays, perfume and aftershave samples, combs and brushes, mints, notepads and pens.
Inspira works with young people and adults facing barriers into employment and helps them to achieve their career goals.
The charity offers personal branding workshops and learning sessions, where clients are encouraged to ensure they present themselves to potential employers in the best light that they can at interviews.
A report by the charity The Hygiene Bank says that currently 6% of people in the UK are affected by hygiene poverty and are struggling to buy basic items such as soap and deodorant.
Emma Porter, managing director at Story Contracting said: “Inspira and Story have a long-standing partnership that has helped many people across Cumbria gain valuable work experience and meaningful employment.
“As a business, Story Contracting endeavours to support our local communities and as such, we are proud to work with Inspira once again through our donation to the interview ready packs, to help those looking for work and give them a confidence boost.”
Isobel Shannon, a project graduate from Bechtel Cavendish Nuclear Solutions said: “Supporting our local community is really important to us at Bechtel Cavendish Nuclear Solutions and we are really happy to be supporting Inspira with the interview ready kits.
“Helping to give people the tools to enter the job market is such a great thing to contribute to and we look forward to working again with them.”
Susan Watkins, area operations manager for Inspira, said: “The generosity shown by the businesses means we can offer our customers some practical help and a little pick me up when they have a job interview arranged.
“We all know how daunting it can be going for an interview. These interview ready bags give us a chance to say well done for getting this far.
“The customer then has everything they need to present themselves to employers in the best light and put a tick in their self-confidence box.”
