Free dry-cleaning, clothes and training for job seekers

High street chain Timpson recently made headlines by offering free dry-cleaning for unemployed people with job interviews.

Branches across the country put up posters that read: “If you are unemployed and need an outfit cleaned for an interview, we will clean it for free!”

Job hunting when you’re unemployed isn’t much fun, but the good news is that Timpson isn’t the only place to provide free help that can help alleviate some of the pressure.

If other companies did a bit to help folk out just imagine the impact - good on ya #Timpson, well done pic.twitter.com/gn9HOApQR2

— Sam Scott (@SamS_Muir) January 28, 2015

We’ve rounded up the very best offers of free assistance, to help you find the job you deserve…

Free clothes

If money has been tight for a while then finding a suitable outfit for an important interview can seem impossible. But you’re not on your own.

Smart Works is a charity based in London, Edinburgh and soon Manchester, which offers women on low incomes the chance to redesign their look and presentation before job interviews.

They offer interview clothes, training and even advice from a trained stylist so that you can look professional. They even offer interview technique training, and can discuss particular concerns such as your CV.

There’s a similar scheme for men based in London, Suited and Booted.  It provides donated clothing for interviews as well as mentoring and interview advice.

If you’re outside of London it’s not as easy to get help. However, your local clothes bank may be able to provide something suitable or there may be a local church group or similar charity offering help.

Free training

Standing out from the crowd can be hard without specific qualifications, especially if you’re keen to find a vocational job.

The organisation Free2Learn offers free training for unemployed people in everything from close protection to social media to licensed forklift operator.

Courses are offered across the UK, although primarily in cities, and could give you the edge over similar candidates. Many of the courses are geared towards younger job seekers, but plenty are for everyone.

But there’s more, many local colleges and universities offer free courses and help to the unemployed. For example, Warwickshire College offers free developmental courses for young unemployed people and City College Brighton and Hove does too. Ask around in your local area or search online to find out what’s available.

Free help with a CV

There’s a lot of online advice about writing the perfect CV, but if you’re not very confident at selling yourself then it can feel impossible to even begin.

However, across the country jobs clubs have been springing up where volunteers help job seekers rewrite their CVs and highlight their skills. They can also offer advice on interview technique and available training.

Free help launching your own business

If you’re unemployed but think you have a good business idea, you might qualify for some extra cash and support to get it started. The New Enterprise Allowance is a government scheme that provides a weekly allowance, a possible loan and a mentor to help you develop your business idea.

There’s more information here but you should ask your local Jobcentre Plus for more information on whether you’ll qualify.

Free childcare

If you’re on a low income and are receiving certain benefits, including Jobseekers Allowance, then you’re entitled to 15 hours free childcare a week as soon as your child reaches two. That compares to three in the rest of the UK.

Some councils offer even more childcare support once you enter work, for example, some councils provide funded local nurseries to help parents afford to return to work.

Your local Job Centre should be able to advise you on what help is available to you.

Have you seen a good deal or freebie offered to job seekers? What additional help should be made available? Have your say using the comments below.