Pop-up boutique gives clothes to job-hunting mothers

Mothers struggling to find work after having children are being offered help in the form of a personalised wardrobe for job-hunting.

EuroMillions winner Zoe Hoare was helped by other lottery winners across the south-west of England to set up the free-to-use pop-up boutique in Somerset.

Mums taking part in a nine-month back-to-work coaching programme were each given a set of clothes from the boutique.

Ms Hoare told BBC Radio Somerset: "We know a new top or some super stylish trousers won’t guarantee a job, but it can help women feel more confident."

Mothers on the The Women's Work Lab programme were asked what kind of a workplace they wanted to go into and which colours they liked.

Ms Hoare then chose a set of clothes to suit each of the participants.

She said: “We really hope that each of the graduating mums from our workshop will be able to feel that bit more proud of their achievement.

"We hope it will give them a little more confidence when they do step through the door of a possible employer.”

Claire David, from Taunton, took part in the session.

She said: "My confidence was low about getting back into the workplace.

"With being a mother, I've not been in what's classed as proper work for 15 years and just doing volunteering and ad hoc jobs.

"It's my first step and I've found myself having nagging thoughts that I'm not good enough.

"These sessions have helped and I've also treated myself to some of the clothes!"

Fern Davis is the programme manager for the Women's Work Lab, which gives women the chance of work placements, classroom-based training, personalised 1-2-1 career guidance and mentoring.

She said: "I think it's important we are reaching out to women who aren't just in cities.

"This project in Taunton will help more women in rural places like Somerset."

The pop-up boutique will be held several times a year in Taunton to support more women.