Local women ‘made up’ thanks to College students
Hair, Beauty and Media Make Up students from Hugh Baird College are taking a proactive part in an innovative scheme aimed at helping women to find work.
The “Dress It Forward” project was launched two years ago by Sefton & Liverpool Women in Business CIC. The scheme asks career women from across Merseyside to donate unwanted work wear and accessories to the women that Sefton & Liverpool Women in Business CIC work with across the region.
The scheme helps ladies who need support and assistance getting into employment. Many women, including a large number of ex-offenders, often have very little or no previous work experience and as a consequence, they routinely have no suitable clothes for job interviews.
The Hair, Beauty and Media Make Up students from Hugh Baird College have further enhanced the scheme by working with the ladies to style their hair and apply their make up so they can look their best when attending interviews. Dress It Forward attendees are being equipped with outfits suitable for use at important appointments and interviews. The project also offers support through workshops and courses and advice on benefits and housing from collaborative organisations. As a result, the females who join the group experience wide and varied advice, guidance and opportunities.
Hugh Baird College Hair, Beauty and Media Make Up tutor Bobbie Jarvis, who initiated the link between the College and the ‘Dress it Forward’ project, said:
“We are delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile scheme. The students have struck up a real rapport with the team who run the Sefton & Liverpool Women in Business CIC and the ladies who take benefit from the Dress it Forward project.”
“All of our learners follow a comprehensive study programme that includes more than just the Hair, Beauty and Media Make Up qualification. Part of the work we do in their study programme is linked to making them better citizens. Taking part in the Dress it Forward project has demonstrated to the students the rewards of giving something back to their local community.”
Sefton & Liverpool Women in Business CIC’s Stephanie Wright, creator of Dress It Forward, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Hugh Baird College students and staff into the recently opened Dress It Forward Boutique and Training Centre. We opened in November 2016 having outgrown our previous offices. As result, we can now offer more support to a greater number of women from across the region.”
“Thanks to the services offered by the students from Hugh Baird College, our members can now walk into interviews feeling and looking their best. This gives them a huge lift in confidence which is one of the major qualities looked for by employers.”
Those interested in attending the Dress it Forward project can contact Steph for more information on 07852948112 or email stephanie@slwib.co.uk.
