Suitability

04/09/2026

Our September wishlist is now live, and we're currently looking for donations of good-quality men's clothing.

Many of the candidates we support are preparing for interviews, training opportunities or their first days in a new role. Smart-casual clothing is particularly useful, as it's often what employers and candidates are looking for today.

If you have new or lightly used clothing that you no longer wear, we'd be grateful to put it to good use. Items such as shirts, belts and shoes are always useful to have available.

You can view our current wishlist and find your nearest donation station here: https://societymatterscic.com/suitability/donations/

03/09/2026

Every day at Suitability, we meet candidates who are preparing for interviews, starting new jobs or returning to work after time away.

Our team and volunteers help with practical things that can make those next steps easier, from finding interview clothing to interview preparation and one-to-one coaching. We take the time to understand what each candidate needs and support them in a way that works for them.

The work wouldn't be possible without the volunteers who give their time and the advisers who work directly with candidates each day. Thank you to everyone who helps keep the service running.

If you want to become our referrals partners or join our volunteers team, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or leave your request here: https://societymatterscic.com/suitability/.

01/09/2026

A big thank you to SOS Group Ltd for their ongoing support as a Suitability donation station partner.

Providing convenient places for people to donate clothing plays an important part in helping us collect the items we need for candidates preparing for interviews and new jobs.

Thank you as well to everyone who drops off donations at our stations. We appreciate every contribution and the support shown to our work.

If you have new or lightly used clothing you'd no longer need, you could donate it here:
SOS Group - 356A Dukesway Ct, Gateshead, NE11 0BH, Open from 8:30 to 5:30 Mon-Fri.

Check our other donation stations: https://lnkd.in/eszd3Fw3

Smart Office Systems continues to back Suitability with generous clothing donations💙

A long-standing partnership between Smart Office Systems Limited and Society Matters CIC's Suitability project is continuing to change lives across the North East, with the latest donation of quality clothing helping more local men take positive steps towards employment.

Andrew Skelton from Smart Office Systems recently visited the Suitability project to deliver another generous collection of smart clothing, including shirts, trousers and other interview-ready items. During the visit, Andrew met with Phillip Capewell to discuss the impact of the partnership and explore plans to build on the support in the future.

Based in Gateshead, Suitability provides far more than smart clothing. The project supports men who may be facing barriers to employment by providing free interview outfits, one-to-one guidance, confidence-building support and practical preparation for interviews. By helping clients look and feel their best, Suitability aims to remove one of the many obstacles to securing work, enabling men to approach interviews with renewed confidence and self-belief.

Thanks to Smart Office Systems' continued support, the project has a steady supply of high-quality clothing for those who need it most. Every donated item helps extend the service's reach while promoting sustainability by giving perfectly good clothing a second life rather than sending it to a landfill.

Speaking after the visit, Phillip Capewell thanked Andrew and the team at Smart Office Systems for their ongoing commitment.

"We're incredibly grateful for the continued generosity shown by Smart Office Systems," said Phillip. "Every donation represents an opportunity for someone to walk into an interview feeling confident, respected and ready to succeed. Andrew's visit was a great opportunity to reflect on what we've achieved together so far and discuss how we can continue supporting even more people across our communities."

Andrew Skelton added that Smart Office Systems is proud to support an initiative that delivers such a tangible impact. "It's fantastic to see first-hand how these donations are helping people rebuild their confidence and move towards employment. We're delighted to continue working with the Suitability team and look forward to supporting the project for many years to come."

The partnership is a shining example of how local businesses and community organisations can work together to create lasting social value. By combining practical support with community collaboration, Smart Office Systems and Suitability help people dress for success and take meaningful steps toward a brighter future.

🌐https://sosgroup-ltd.co.uk
🌐https://www.societymatterscic.com/suitability

27/08/2026

Have a pair of men's smart shoes sitting at the back of a cupboard?

We're currently looking for new or lightly used men's smart and smart-casual shoes to help people prepare for interviews, training opportunities and new jobs.

If they're still in good condition, we'd love to give them a second life through Suitability.

Find your nearest donation station and learn more about donating here: https://societymatterscic.com/suitability/donations/

26/08/2026

Ever wondered what our volunteers get up to at Suitability?

From sorting and preparing clothing to supporting the day-to-day running of the service, our volunteers play a big part in what we do.

If you'd like to join the team, we'd love to hear from you. Find out more here: https://societymatterscic.com/suitability/

25/08/2026

We're currently looking for donations of men's belts.

They might seem like a small thing, but belts are often one of the items we're short on when helping someone put together an outfit for an interview or a new job.

If you have any new or lightly used men's belts in good condition that you no longer need, we'd be grateful to put them to good use.

You can find your nearest donation station and learn more about donating here:

Find your closest station here: https://societymatterscic.com/suitability/donations/

Thank you for supporting us.

20/08/2026

We often hear people say that once they had the right outfit sorted, they felt able to focus on everything else.

Interviews can be nerve-wracking at the best of times. Not having suitable clothing is one more thing to worry about.

That's why Suitability provides interview clothing alongside practical coaching and support, helping men across the North East prepare for job opportunities with confidence.

If you'd like to make an appointment with us, contact [email protected] or find out more here: https://societymatterscic.com/suitability/

19/08/2026

Today marks one month until our Skydive for Suitability challenge.

On 19th September, a group of supporters will be taking a leap from 10,000 feet to raise money for Suitability. Over the past few weeks we've seen people signing up, setting fundraising targets and preparing for jump day, and we're grateful for every one of them.

The money raised will help us continue providing practical support for candidates across the North East, including interview clothing, interview preparation, one-to-one coaching and ongoing employment support.

There's still plenty of time to support the team before jump day arrives. If you'd like to make a donation or find out more about the challenge, you can do so here:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/skydive-for-suitability

Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign so far!

Take on a tandem skydive and raise money for Suitability. No experience needed - just a bit of bravery.

19/08/2026

We're pleased to welcome One Strawberry Lane as the latest Suitability donation station.

If you're in Newcastle and have good-quality smart or smart-casual clothing you'd like to donate, you can now drop items off at:

📍 One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4BX | Available: Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm

A huge thank you to the team at One Strawberry Lane for supporting Suitability and helping make it easier for people to donate.

If you're planning a donation, you can view our current wishlist and donation guidelines here: https://societymatterscic.com/suitability/donations/

18/08/2026

Have a men's white shirt hanging in the wardrobe that's still new and never gets worn?

We'd happily put it to good use.

We're looking for donations of men's white shirts to help people prepare for interviews and other employment opportunities.

If you'd like to donate, you can find out more about Suitability here: https://www.societymatterscic.com/suitability/

Thank you!