Quorum Park suits you sir!
For more than two years, members of the Quorum Park community have been helping to style ambitious women as part of their search for work. When NRG’s on-site donation station for Smart Works Newcastle launched, it was a first for the region, leading to 12 other such initiatives across the North East supporting people into employment with donated professional attire. Now, men aspiring to the role of their dreams will also get to choose from pieces from your wardrobes as together with the recruitment firm we are now introducing a Quorum Park donation station for the new-look Community Interest Company (CIC), Suitability by Society Matters.
Originally founded by Darren Tait to provide essential pre-interview support, coaching, and appropriate workwear to men who felt their available clothing options were preventing their progression into employment, the six-year-old organisation is being revitalised under the leadership of Society Matters Group, with continued support from Smart Works Newcastle.
Part of the Quorum Park community since 2020 when it relocated from Grey Street in Newcastle city centre, NRG, or Northern Recruitment Group to give it its full name, and its sister business, Greenbean, had been supporting Smart Works Newcastle for several years, with volunteering, fundraising and clothing drives when the idea for a donation station came about. And, having been the first of its kind outside the city centre for Smart Works Newcastle, the clothing drop at Quorum Park has proved to be such a success that it’s an obvious next step to try and replicate that in aid of Suitability.
Leanne Chambers, Managing Director for both recruitment brands said: “We are thrilled that our desire to raise greater awareness of Smart Works Newcastle has been so successful with this initiative, supporting the amazing work it does to provide those identifying as women with coaching and quality clothing and accessories to prime them for success at interviews and into new roles.
“Similarly, Suitability aims to empower men, boosting their confidence and ultimately strengthening the regional economy by improving employment opportunities for those with limited budgets, particularly following recent increases in the cost of living. So, gents, we hope you’ll raid your drawers and bring us any surplus interview-appropriate clothing, footwear, and accessories. Not only will this be great for the beneficiaries of Suitability, but it will also fit with the sustainability aims of Quorum Park by encouraging clothing re-use to reduce landfill waste.
“Our partnership with Smart Works, and now Suitability, is a great fit for us in terms of our expertise. With a heritage dating back almost 50 years, we know the jobs market is in continual flux, with economic volatility and digital transformations making it more competitive – and often more challenging than ever – to secure a role.
“That’s why we’ve designed our new HR Consultancy and Talent Advisory Services, offering businesses flexible, expert solutions that support the entire work journey, without the need to increase headcount.
“Our expanded service portfolio includes everything an organisation may require to be able to address HR challenges effectively and efficiently, from onboarding and offboarding processes, mediation, and support around compensation, benefits, reward and recognition, as well as insight to help attract the talent required to meet their aims.”
Laura McGrath is our Director of Sustainability and Community at Shelborn Asset Management, of which Quorum is part. She said: “We love to see collaboration like this that stems from being part of such a vibrant community here at Quorum Park.
“There really is power in partnerships that goes beyond the bottom line and delivers real social value. We’re here for it, and hope to see our Suitability clothing drop full to the brim!
“Not only will this support more of our region’s men to secure job interview success, but raising the organisation’s profile in this way will help Society Matters with its work to increase the scope of services available to them through Suitability.”
The donation stations for both Smart Works and Suitability are based in the reception areas of the NEON building.
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