Earlier this month, we were delighted to officially open the doors to the new home of Dress for Success Wellington at Ground Floor, 15 Willeston Street, Wellington Central. The launch event marked an exciting milestone for our organisation and brought together an incredible group of partners, supporters, volunteers, donors, and community champions who share our commitment to helping people build confidence, unlock opportunities, and achieve their goals in work and life. We we

Since moving into our new Wellington home, we've been delighted by the warm welcome and support we've received from the local media. Recent features across TVNZ Breakfast, The Post, and The Local have provided valuable opportunities to share the story of Dress for Success Wellington and highlight the impact of our work throughout the region. Our appearance on TVNZ Breakfast was particularly exciting, allowing us to showcase the full scope of what we do. While many people know

We were delighted to welcome Georgia Hynes from Talent to present our most recent Success Workshop, Digital Confidence – Standing Out for the Right Reasons. Held in the Deloitte offices, the workshop was well attended and brought together participants looking to strengthen their job search skills and better understand what it takes to stand out in today's increasingly digital recruitment environment. Georgia shared practical, real-world insights into what employers and recrui

Ever had somewhere to go and ‘nothing to wear’? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us have those moments. For the Dress for Success client, Rachel, the place to go was a new job, and we were here to help. Rachel first heard about Dress for Success through her mother. She’d had a very positive experience with our stylist, Jill, and went home with a new wardrobe, which she proudly showed her family. She recommended that Rachel contact us, too. Rachel had just secured a job and

The Training Hub is more than just a place to learn job skills. It is a place where confidence is rebuilt, strengths are discovered and the possibilities of something different are explored in a safe and nurturing environment. It's hard to believe we are already halfway through the year. With two training cohorts now completed and another currently underway, it is fair to say that the Training Hub is finding its rhythm. Over the past six months, we have had the privilege of

One thing really does lead to another. A year ago, Aina was searching for a job and thought she would “do something productive” by volunteering. Joining the Yes for Success (YFS) team, she soon found herself knee-deep in our work experience programme and preparing for her next role in the workforce. In our Wellington hub, Aina found a caring and supportive team and many opportunities to grow. She took them! Aina worked with our business support team, performed HR and marketin

Vibek is swapping his baker’s apron for a career in accountancy. To take this ambitious leap, he needed new skills to follow his chosen path. It’s never easy, and Vibek faced many rejections during his job search. Determined to succeed, he enrolled in a volunteer programme at Victoria University, then joined the Work Experience Programme at YFS. Now his courage and persistence have led to a new role at Poneke Bakery, working as both baker and accounts officer. He will transit

Searching for a job was proving an impossible task for Lucy during 2024, so Lucy decided to take a different approach by searching Wellington volunteer positions as Lucy wanted to prove to herself that she was still capable of working over an extended period of time. Reaching out to Yes for Success in challenging times led to clarity of direction and set Lucy on a path of building strong educational foundations toward a thriving, successful future. Lucy's story reflects tha

Sometimes, all it takes is a little guidance and a supportive environment to set you up for success. Bridgit found that at Yes for Success, where she was welcomed and encouraged by fellow volunteers and staff. Arriving from India, Bridgit initially lacked the confidence and experience to secure a job in a new country. She came to Dress for Success determined to start her career journey on the right foot and improve her skills in a low-pressure environment. Through our Work

Ella reached out to Yes for Success to join the Work Experience Programme and gained more than she anticipated, including new experiences in marketing, retail and administration at the Yes for Success Wellington Hub. Her dedication to learning new skills and helping others led to Ella securing a job aligned with her interests and values. How did you hear about YFS? "I came across Yes for Success online. In fact, it was a video testimonial of a previous Work Experience Volunte

When times get tough, it’s all too easy to lose sight of our self-worth. For Barbara, she found it again thanks in part to Yes for Success (YFS). This year she came to us for a little extra support while she looked for work. Wanting to expand her areas of expertise, Barbara discovered a flare for retail in our Wellington Dress for Success boutique. “Unemployment can really knock back your confidence,” she says. “But at Yes for Success I knew I could step out of my comfort zon

Yes for Success (YFS) volunteer, Kelsey, is fulfilling her dream of helping others. Last year, she completed her Certificate of Health and Wellbeing at Whitireia, where she learned about many different aspects of wellbeing. After a spell working at Wellington Hospital as a health care assistant, Kelsey realised she wanted to forge a career in the field of mental health. And now she’s doing just that. Kelsey joined YFS in August as a work experience volunteer doing business

For as long as she could remember, Lekha wanted to visit New Zealand. Last year, that dream came true when she travelled from Sri Lanka to Wellington to complete a Masters programme at Victoria University. On graduation, Lekha came to Yes for Success (YFS) to upskill herself in preparation for the corporate world. In five short months she has become an administration superstar with a CV bulging with relevant experience. She has now landed the role of her dreams and is steppin

We were honoured to be invited to the Australian High Commission’s Australia Day celebrations on 26 January as their official charity partner. It was a truly memorable evening, bringing together an inspiring community of dignitaries, business leaders and supporters to celebrate the strong ties between our countries. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our partners, we were able to host a silent auction and raffle featuring a fantastic array of donated prizes. The response

Changing career direction is never easy but that’s exactly what Miia has successfully done. After years in hospitality Miia wanted to pursue a career in healthcare but needed the skills, experience and confidence to make that happen. She took the first step towards her new self by joining Yes for Success (YFS) as a work experience volunteer. Miia threw herself into many different tasks and made the most of our workshops to gain invaluable office and software skills. It paid o

I first learned of Dress For Success many years ago. I was a university graduate back then. Although I didn't use their services, I had...

Over the past four weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of supporting a new group of MSD Job Seekers through our Work Readiness Programme in Lower Hutt — and what a rewarding journey it’s been. This programme is designed for people who are figuring out their next steps, returning to work, changing careers, or stepping into the workforce for the first time. From day one, the group brought warmth, humour, and a genuine willingness to give things a go, and it didn’t take long for every

NIcky Owers, Jacqui Eyley, Maria Gorham This month we have a lot of changes with two new team members joining us and two stepping down. Nicky Owers joins us as our new Connector. This one-day-a-week role is focused on developing relationships with local employers who are interested in participating in our Work Experience (WE) programme. Our aim is to expand our WE programme to provide external placements to give our WE volunteers real world experience and potential employment

Dayana arrived in New Zealand a year ago, unsure of herself and lacking courage in her skills. She came to Yes for Success (YFS) looking for experience in the workplace but came away with so much more. Now, she is working for an IT company and confidently taking steps towards her career goals. “I honestly believe that anyone who joins YFS will learn so much and gain valuable skills for their future,” she says. For Dayana this meant building confidence in her abilities, gainin

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate one of our volunteers, Paige, who has recently completed the Retail Savvy Award through ServiceIQ. This award provides a strong foundation in essential retail skills and is designed to be completed on the job, making it a practical way to gain valuable experience while volunteering. The programme focuses on developing key skills that are vital in any retail environment, helping participants to become confident and effective team members. W