Ella’s Kitchen launches charity partnership with Smart Works to help empower and support women returning to work
- 10th March 2025 -
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Ella’s Kitchen, the UK’s leading baby food brand, has announced a new partnership with Smart Works – a charity dedicated to providing free, interview-ready clothing and career support to women facing unemployment or the challenges of re-entering the workforce.
The newly launched partnership continues the loving memory of former Ella’s Kitchen Managing Director, Catherine Empringham, and reinforces the brand’s commitment to creating equal opportunities and fostering a more inclusive and empowering workplace for women. Ella’s Kitchen will work closely with the Reading branch of Smart Works, to help women regain financial independence through meaningful employment.
Building on the legacy of Ella’s Kitchen’s own mentorship programme established in Catherine’s name, which has supported mothers returning to work after pregnancy since 2021, this partnership aims to broaden its impact. Ella’s Kitchen will donate to the Reading branch and offer paid leave for team members to volunteer at clothing drives, career workshops, and fundraising events that focus on helping women enter employment.
“Our mission as a brand is for every little one to grow up happy, healthy and never hungry, and that vision extends to supporting people and families across our local community. Our former MD, Cath, was a truly incredible woman, with a wicked sense of humour, a laugh that could light up any room, and a passion for empowering women. Her commitment to helping mums thrive in the workplace inspired us to launch our Working Mum’s mentorship programme back in 2021.
Today’s partnership with Smart Works allows us to build on that legacy by supporting local women in Reading on their journey back into employment. With over 40,000 women helped into the workforce in the past decade, Smart Works is a truly special organisation, and we’re so proud to support their mission.
This partnership is about providing confidence, hope, and support to women as they step into the next chapter of lives. It is exactly the kind of project Cath would have championed, and we’re honoured to launch this in her memory ahead of International Women’s Day.”
Chris Jenkins
Global Head of Impact at Hain Celestial/Ella’s Kitchen
"We are delighted to partner with Ella's Kitchen to help us expand our reach and support more women in the Berkshire area on their journey to employment. This collaboration, honouring the inspiring legacy of Catherine, perfectly embodies the spirit of International Women's Day by creating tangible opportunities for women facing barriers to work.
The commitment from Ella's Kitchen to not only provide financial support but also encourage their team to volunteer their time and skills demonstrates a genuine dedication to women's economic empowerment. Together, we can help more women build the confidence, skills and professional wardrobe they need to succeed in their careers and achieve financial independence.
This charity partnership further underscores Ella’s Kitchen’s B Corp commitment to conducting business that benefits its people, communities, and the planet. It is the latest in a series of socially responsible initiatives, joining efforts with Action for Children to support families living in poverty and with the RSPB on a project to protect, restore, and rewild 30 million square feet of grassland and wildflower meadows by 2030."
Helen Francis
Chair of Smart Works Reading
