The Carlisle branch of employability experts Inspira has been on a mission to provide Interview Ready Kits for their clients.

Inspira works with young people and adults facing barriers into employment and helps them to achieve their career goals, be that moving into employment, a career change, and training, or voluntary work as a steppingstone into employment.

To help achieve this, 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. They want to provide their clients facing a job interview with an ‘Interview Ready’ Kit, which will include items such as:

• Toothpaste & Toothbrushes

• Body wash/Soap

• Perfume/Aftershave Samples

• Combs/Brushes

• Mints

• Notepads & Pens

• Deodorant & Body Sprays

Following a social media appeal, Inspira were delighted to be offered donations from leading businesses in the county including Story Contracting, H & H Reeds Printers and Bechtel Cavendish Nuclear Solutions.

Emma Porter, Managing Director (Story Plant) 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, Project Graduate, 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.”

Inspira launched the appeal following news that some people in the UK are affected by a hidden crisis - hygiene poverty. Sadly, increases in the cost of living are forcing people to choose between eating, heating, and keeping clean.

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; products most of us take for granted.

This is having a devastating effect on their daily lives, with the inability to afford essential hygiene products leaving many too ashamed to even go to work.

Susan Watkins, Area Operations Manager 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.”

For more information on how to donate to the appeal please contact: marketingteam@inspira.org.uk