Local job seekers in south London can now request and borrow workwear free from Brixton Library so they can look their best for interviews.
ihateironing, a laundry service based in Brixton, has partnered with Brixton Library to relaunch their Workwear Scheme, which helps job seekers in south London look their best in interviews by lending them formal clothes.
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They can borrow the clothes for a period of four days at a time and have the option of requesting garments for their interviews to make sure they get the clothes and sizes they need.
The laundry service collects clothes from their customers and anyone else who wants to donate professionally cleans them and donates them to the library. Every time the clothes are rented and returned, they will be cleaned once again to make sure they’re always looking brand new before returning to the library.
The scheme is now a permanent service within Brixton Library – and people can easily book an appointment or simply walk in to ask about it.
Watch our video to find out how it works.
It was all on hold for the COVID-19 pandemic, but now Matt Connelly, ihateironing Founder and CEO, says “With the new cost of living crisis, we feel impassioned to reignite the scheme and provide much-needed support to our local community.”
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It recently launched at the library again where people were invited to come in and check it out for themselves.
The News chatted to Betty, a 46-year-old Colombian mother who is currently working as a cleaner part-time but wants to get a different job.
“The hours in my job right now are antisocial and the money isn’t great.”
Having moved from Colombia in 1996, Betty said there are lots of barriers that stop people who come to England from getting better jobs. “The language is an obvious barrier and it’s not always so clear how to apply for jobs here.
“I want to do nursing and the number of tests you have to do – they’re hard and so expensive.
“I think the scheme is a great idea – money is one of the things that stops many people from getting good jobs.
“The clothes, the travel, the courses – it all adds up. I think this could help lots of people,” she added.
One man who had just come out of prison and wanted to remain anonymous came in and borrowed a shirt for an interview with Lambeth Waste Services and said it ‘really helped him out.’
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Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Leisure and Sport, said: “With the cost of living crisis, unfortunately, more people will struggle to afford to purchase outfits for interviews. Lambeth’s libraries are vital community spaces for all our residents, so it is fantastic that we are able to offer this service that will assist residents and ensure they are one step closer to securing a job.”
Brixton Library regularly hosts events and initiatives to benefit local job seekers, including workshops to help job seekers practice interview skills.
For more about ihateironing and Brixton Library Workwear Scheme, email them directly.
To donate clothes to the scheme, please visit this page.
They can collect from these postcodes: CR0, CR2, CR7, SE19, SE20, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25, SE26, SE27, SW16. To request specific garments for lending, please submit this form.