A woman who became a millionaire after winning the National Lottery has opened a boutique for Somerset mums looking to get back into work.

Zoe Hoare, and her husband Nick, established the free-to-use pop-up shop for ladies seeking a new job-hunting wardrobe.

The idea came after she heard of the Women’s Work Lab nine-month programme in Taunton, Somerset, which helps mums on benefits rebuild their confidence and embark on their employment journey.

Zoe knew that she could help make a real difference by donating a selection of perfectly picked clothing, giving them the ultimate boost.

Using all her styling expertise, with the support of other National Lottery winners from the South West, Zoe has created the ultimate capsule wardrobe for each of the job-hunting mums.

“Every one of the ladies we have worked with today is celebrating their last day in the classroom with Taunton Women’s Work Lab, before exploring work experience opportunities and for some, attending job interviews", she said.

"We know a new top or some super stylish trousers won’t guarantee a job, but we really hope that each of the graduating mums will be able to feel that bit more proud of their achievement and a little more confident when they do step through the door of a possible employer.”

Another those to benefit was mum-of-two Louise Burton, 37, who was out of work for years after ditching an exhausting night shift role and she has been offered a job after taking on a work experience placement during the scheme.

She said: "We've just finished our placement, so four weeks in a work placement; I was working with adult disabled people at Hestercombe House.

Nicola White, 54, has three children and previously owned a financial services business with her husband - but stopped working to become a full-time mum.

She said: "Working for my own company I felt a lot of my skills were self-taught and I was doing things my way. You feel that you can't compete with other people that have recent training or recent experience.

"When COVID hit, I was working from home remotely and I just realised then that it's socialisation with people that I missed, rather than the work.”

Camilla Rigby, Co-Founder and Joint CEO of the Women’s Work Lab, was amazed at the millionaire volunteers commitment and the transformation they were able to create.

She said: “We exist to help our Mums to become the best versions of themselves, whatever that looks like. We know that ambition is unique to an individual, just like their choice of wardrobe too.”

Women’s Work Lab was established in 2019 and since then has supported more than 300 Mums across the South West back into work.

Participants may have faced multiple barriers to employment including lone parenting, surviving domestic abuse, children with special educational needs and their own health conditions.

Two thirds of their alumni are now working and Women’s Work Lab now deliver training in Taunton, Bridgwater, Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.