To mark International Women’s Day, employee volunteers ran mock interviews and a wellbeing session to help local women prepare for re-entering the job market.
Six volunteers from L’Occitane en Provence and voco London Marylebone supported nine women through the activity on 9 March 2026, held at the Stowe Centre, an employment and community hub on Harrow Road. The session aimed to build interview confidence and equip participants with practical tools for success.
Volunteers helped put jobseekers at ease during the session.
Delivered in partnership with the Paddington Development Trust, the activity was part of its SWEET Programme – Supporting Women into Employment, Enterprise & Training – which provides one‑to‑one mentoring, practical training, and childcare support. The programme helps women, particularly from minority ethnic backgrounds, overcome barriers to work.
Volunteers conducted mock interviews in a supportive environment, offering encouragement and constructive feedback to replicate real interview scenarios. Participants came with a range of career experiences and at different stages in their job search, including one preparing for an interview at a care home later in the week. Each volunteer spent around 30 minutes with a participant, reviewing their career background, asking tailored questions, and providing feedback on the structure and content of their answers to help them showcase their skills effectively.
Volunteers provided encouragement and constructive feedback.
Volunteers replicated interview scenarios.
In addition to interview practice, a volunteer delivered a wellbeing presentation focused on reducing anxiety and stress before and during interviews. The session introduced practical techniques such as box breathing, posture adjustments, and grounding techniques that can be used to directly counter the body’s stress response and support clearer thinking. By being more relaxed, candidates can perform at their best and give a truer reflection of their capabilities during the interviews.
A volunteer from voco Marylebone provided practical tips to manage interview nerves.
The team from L’Occitane en Provence helped local women prepare for re-entering the job market.
It was such a pleasure meeting everyone and hearing more about their stories, dreams, and aspirations. It was one of the most interactive and personal volunteering experiences I’ve taken part in, and I really appreciated the opportunity to be involved.
Mily Barnett, Digital Marketing Manager, L'Occitane
The activity was arranged as part of our Community Programme which supports our business members to engage in the community. From environmental projects to skill-sharing to coffee mornings, there is something to suit every community engagement plan which create memorable moments and sustainable impact.
