Suited and Booted’s clients will be struggling and in need of support, both financial and practical. They will not have the means to wear suitable clothes to ‘ the part therefore will be unable to give themselves the best possible chance at a job interview.

From all over London and sometimes beyond, our clients come to us when they need a helping hand to get prepared for interviews and the workplace. They see all clients on a one-to-one, personal basis. They are the only charity in London dedicated to providing this service for men.

Hundreds of agencies refer clients to them, including Job Centres, Councils, the NHS, the National Probation Service and numerous charities such as Veterans Aid, St Mungo’ Centrepoint, St Giles Trust and the YMCA.

Their clients come from many backgrounds – perhaps homeless men, veterans, ex-offenders, in mental health recovery and long-term unemployed. They also see care leavers navigating their way through the start of their adult years. For their younger clients, they have a Young Suited & Booted project, with a special focus on younger fashion and offering more targeted guidance and support. They also have an HMPS Suited & Booted project with the prison service. It’s so important to get people leaving prison into work as quickly as possible.

The variety of jobs that their clients strive for is great – the ambulance service, the fire brigade, the police, public transport and driving, jobs in education, caring jobs, IT, project management, legal work, catering, security, retail and admin.

They aim to help change the lives of approximately 1,500 vulnerable men and young people each year and hope to grow that figure year on year.

They give our clients suitable clothing – perhaps a formal suit or a smart casual style – and then guide them through the process of a job interview. This gives them better prospects of success and contributes to their general self-confidence and self-esteem.

They aim to make a difference so that our clients can move forward with the ability to succeed and find their own way in society. They help give them the self-confidence to believe in themselves and their futures.

If you are dressed down, you are often overlooked. When we dress up, we make an impact not only on those around us but on ourselves. The power of a good suit, along with smart accessories, must not be underestimated. Dressing the part makes our clients feel the part, giving them the self-confidence they need for their interviews and beyond.

They can help with interview advice or with drafting a CV. But most important of all, they help the men we see to look outstanding, feel fantastic and build the confidence they need to do well. It’s not just the suit, it’s the experience of being guided and transformed, inside and out, by people who really care about the outcome, perhaps for the first time in their life.

They transform their clients from top to toe, with a fantastic suit, shirt, tie and accessories. They often also supply further suits and shirts when they get their job so that they can start from a place of security and confidence.

All this is made possible because of their amazing team of volunteers. They have a wonderful team of stylists and wardrobe assistants on hand to assist and dress our clients. A styling appointment lasts about an hour to find clients a perfectly fitted suit, shirt, tie and accessories. When they see themselves in the mirror, clients are almost always blown away by the change! “I was in disbelief as to how a few moments there has given me hope and confidence to go to the next chapter of my life.”

Gifted and talented, some of their volunteers are professional stylists and many have an eye for style. As well as stylists, they have wardrobe assistants and logistical volunteers – it’s a complex operation, you’ve got to get the clothing in, it has to be sorted, discarded if needs be, measured, steamed and hung in an orderly fashion.

Their volunteers all have big hearts and the desire to help our clients look absolutely splendid. They always need stylists, wardrobe assistants, as well as help with logistics and admin. If you would like to volunteer, then they would be delighted to hear from you. We have put a link below to find out about donations and volunteering.

Suited & Booted does not receive any government funding and are totally dependent on grants and donations for the work they do. Should you like to make a financial contribution to help us with our work, they would be very grateful. Every penny counts!