SMART People: Melanie Prater
By Zoe Shorter, Series Contributor and Lyndsey Spurgin, Series Editor, Smart Works Reading
At Smart Works Reading we have a whole host of volunteer roles and in this blog series we are going to introduce you to a few key people and explain how their roles help us function and support the clients we work with.
I caught up with Melanie, our Head of Wardrobe volunteer, to get advice for our clients and future volunteers and find out more about Melanie’s motivation for volunteering with Smart Works Reading.
What does your volunteering with Smart Works Reading entail?
As the Head of Wardrobe volunteer, I take all the new stock donated by our supporters and sort it out, allocate it to one of three places. Either it gets washed or steamed and put out ready for clients, or if it’s not interview appropriate I will put it away in preparation for our sale or it will go to a local charity. Then, I keep an eye on what we’ve got in stock to make sure it’s all working well for the dressers and that we have enough stock and variety within the stock.
Why do you love Smart Works Reading and what makes it special for you?
Well, what I really love is the atmosphere here and I love to help people who are less fortunate than I am. Also for me, I’m an Accountant by profession and it’s really nice to do something that’s not finance-related!
How do you pick what to wear each day?
Well, it depends where I am going. If I am coming to Smart Works Reading I always have a clothes crisis because everyone wears such nice clothes! I like to wear things that look smart but that I can move around easily in. I can’t wear heels to work at Smart Works Reading as I am on my feet all day.
Has your style changed over the years?
Probably not actually. I think I’m just an older version of what I used to be. I’ve always got a really nice pair of jeans. I love boots. I’ve always got lots of pairs of boots. And I love jumpers. Recently I have rediscovered dresses which are so versatile.
If you could talk to your younger self when you were in your 20s, what would you say?
Don’t worry about what other people think of you. Just be you. It doesn’t matter what others think of you especially in this social media age, I tell my teenage daughter this all the time. You spend your life worrying about what other people think. Then you realize that actually that everyone just loves you for who you are.
What inspires you the most professionally?
When I was younger, I used to be very inspired by very successful women. When I was in an accountancy firm there were few female partners, so I was very inspired by them. And now I think I’m just more inspired by people who do what they like. I think there’s a movement now towards people doing what they like doing. We weren’t brought up like that, we were brought up to get just a good job and keep at it till you retire. Whereas I think people who are brave enough to say “I don’t really like that anymore, I’m going to do something I really want to do” is the way forward.
Who is your biggest icon or influence?
Roger Federer springs to mind because he’s hard-working and has made a career out of something he loves.
Any final top tips for clients coming to visit Smart Works Reading?
I think you should be open-minded and take advice from the volunteers and staff. The dressers and coaches are highly skilled and experienced and have the clients' best interest at heart.
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