Lambeth Council launches new clothes borrowing initiative for job seekers

A new clothes borrowing scheme has opened in Brixton due to a partnership between local business ihateironing and Lambeth Council’s libraries service.

Created to offer support to the local community, the new partnership allows job seekers to borrow clothes for their next interview.

According to the latest ONS figures, the number of unemployed across the UK increased by 22,000 in the last quarter of this year to reach 1.3 million, while the number of job vacancies continued to fall to reach 813,000, the lowest level since late 2017.

Matt Connelly, ihateironing’s founder and CEO, said: “Competition for jobs is particularly high, which means when someone gets selected for an interview, every part of that interview matters.

“Alongside someone’s experience and enthusiasm for the role, first impressions count and how someone presents themselves is a big part of the assessment process.

“We understand that clothes for an interview can be expensive and not everyone can afford a smart outfit that they may only wear a couple of times, so we’re building a collection of clothes at Brixton Library that can be borrowed by the local community to help everyone dress for success, whatever their circumstances.”

Ihateironing, based in Brixton, is an on-demand dry cleaning and laundry delivery service. It has agreed to continue to help source outfits for the library to lend out and will clean and return the clothes for free after each use.

The library receives clothes from across Ihateironing’s partnership base. These come from suitable clothes that have either never been collected by customers, or as the scheme raises more awareness, from customers who are donating nearly new items that can be pressed and donated.

Cllr Sonia Winifred, cabinet member for equalities and culture, commented: “It’s as easy as borrowing a book. We can lend an outfit for up to four days, either for an interview to get into work, or to apply for a better job. This is important support for individuals and low income families in our communities.

“We’ll even lend to local entrepreneurs and business start-ups who want to feel more confident at a potential investors meeting or appointment with the bank. Interviewees can contact us by email and we just ask for a letter or email confirming the interview date.”

Brixton Library already provides support to the local community by offering workshops to help with their skills ahead of job interviews, from writing CVs to interview tips.

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