Working Wardrobe opens its doors

A ground-breaking scheme which provides unemployed residents with free outfits for interviews and job advice has been officially launched in Trafford.

The pioneering Trafford Working Wardrobe appeals to residents to donate work clothes they no longer need to those struggling to afford outfits for interviews.

The scheme was launched on Friday, September 10, at Trafford Town Hall by representatives from Groundwork Greater Manchester, which operates Working Wardrobe, Trafford Council and Trafford Housing Trust, who provided a grant of over £85,000.

The service, which also provides interview preparation, will be operating from various 'pop-up' locations across Trafford and the main goal is to give individuals the confidence to get the job that they deserve. Donations of high-quality, work-appropriate clothes, for men and women, in a range of sizes are welcomed.

They include:

  • Business Suits & Ties
  • Shirts, Tops & Blouses
  • Skirts & Dresses
  • Trousers
  • Shoes
  • Jackets & Coats
  • New Tights & New Bras
  • Accessories including Handbags, Belts & Jewellery
  • New, Unopened Cosmetics & Make-Up, Skincare, Body & Hair Products, Men’s Shaving Products


On the day, speeches were made by Groundwork project lead, Natasha Bernard, Aileen Edmunds, Head of Social Impact at Trafford Housing Trust, Trafford Council’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Chris Boyes and Groundwork’s Venetia Knight.

Natasha said:

“The project has always been so close to my heart and to set this up from scratch has been amazing. I feel it’s so important to have services like Working Wardrobe. It is meaningful, tailored support to those who need it most and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved so far. Please support us with your donated clothes.”

Natasha and her team have so far collected more than £20,000 worth of quality clothing to donate to people ahead of their interviews.

Aileen Edmunds, Head of Social Impact at Trafford Housing Trust, said:

“It is a real privilege to be able to fund this fantastic project, and meet the passionate and dedicated team at Working Wardrobe. At Trafford Housing Trust we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a better life and seek to fund organisations like Working Wardrobe that make a real difference. If you are doing impactful work please visit our website as we could fund your project too.”

Cllr Mike Freeman, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Covid Recovery and Reform, said:

“I am extremely impressed by the whole concept of Working Wardrobe. This is a dedicated, hard-working group of people who are only interested in helping others.

Thank you so much for all your hard work in setting this up. Your efforts have been amazing and what you have done will help countless people overcome barriers to employment. Well done to everyone involved in this fantastic scheme.”

Posted on Tuesday 14th September 2021