Our values. We support each other…

Our values. We support each other...

 10th Nov 2020 |  Blog |  Margaret Ring


Our Makers are the world to us and we see each one as an individual. We were keenly reminded of this last week when Sindhu, one of the Makers from our Divine Maker Group was experiencing difficulties with her bank account.

We had been trying to transfer money that Sindhu had earned from Stitching Secret Products (the name we give to items in our clothing and homeware ranges) for a couple of weeks, but kept being advised that there was an issue with the account and the funds were bouncing back. Of course this worried us greatly, as we knew that Sindhu really needed this money to support herself and her family.

We contacted Sindhu to ask if she knew why this was happening and she told us that she had been unable to get to the bottom of it. Luckily, our General Manager, Sumathi had spent time working in the financial sector and was able to use her knowledge to unearth what the issue might be.  She contacted Sindhu's bank and made an appointment with one of the Account Managers and followed this up with a call to Sindhu to let her know what documents the bank would need to see to rectify the issue, telling her that they would attend the meeting together.

So, last Friday, armed with lots of hand sanitiser and wearing face masks, Sindhu and Sumathi met up and went to the bank together to meet with the Account Manager.  We are happy to report that the issue was resolved and we are now able to transfer the money that Sindhu has earned. Sindhu told us that it was a good learning curve for her and will know exactly what to do should something like this happen again. Negotiating banking systems is never easy.

This story is a great example of how we empower our Makers, not just by the training they receive through our four-stage Virtual Training for Empowerment Programme, but in so many other practical ways. If a Maker needs our support and it is practical for us to help, we will always be there, supporting each on one as needs be.

One of our  Values is 'we support one another', and, like all our values it plays an integral part of how we all work at Secret Projects, whether that is our staff Team or Makers.

Photo: Left to right: Sindhu and Sumathi outside the bank.

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Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

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Our first destash!

Our first destash!

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We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We can make such good use of your pre-loved sewing supplies We have added various items of pre-loved sewing supplies to our online stores, including . . . scrap fabrics and buttons for the past few years and it has developed into a small but very good source of income for our Community Benefit Society. The pre-loved sewing supplies market is only getting stronger and is something we are keen to develop and grow and are therefore putting out an 'ask' to our customers and supporters (and of course, anyone else who reads this!) for your old sewing items. We would LOVE them! Ideas for sewing supplies donations! From scrap fabric, to buttons, to pins, to needles, to embroidery equipment, we would adore to talk to you about what you have. Sewing items can often have sentimental value - in fact, our Comms Manager, Margaret was just telling us about a pin cushion she has of her mother's that she could only give away to someone who would really appreciate, and make good use of. Maybe this has resonated with you. So, if you do have sewing supplies you would like to donate, please email Fritha Vincent Mason at: fritha@secretprojects.org. We would just LOVE your pre-loved sewing supplies!  
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