eBay for Change – a programme to boost social enterprise. We are proud to have won a place!

eBay for Change - a programme to boost social enterprise. We are proud to have won a place!

 7th Jun 2021 |  Blog |  Margaret Ring


What is eBay for Change?
It's a simple and effective idea! eBay for Change is a 'hub' on eBay UK that connects it's 29 million customers with a number of social enterprises with a clear mission to provide income generating opportunities for marginalised communities in the UK, as well as overseas, which have been hit hard by Covid-19. We are proud to have won a place on the programme and are looking forward to working with eBay to grow and develop a completely new audience for our Ranges of clothing and homeware, lovingly stitched by our Maker Community.

 
How did we become involved?
To deliver their new venture, eBay partnered with Social Enterprise UK and the World Fair Trade Organization with a clear idea to provide a global shop front to small businesses who reinvest their profits back into the communities they work with. As a member of both these partner organizations, we, and others were approached by eBay and asked to take part in a competitive application process and were completely proud and overjoyed when we were advised that we had won a place on the programme!

“We are delighted to have Secret Projects on board the eBay for Change programme. We are excited that we can be a part of their mission to empower women in India and to also bring a wonderful collection of clothing and homeware to eBay customers". Helen Armstrong, eBay UK

 
What does this mean for Secret Projects?
In short, it means a huge amount of new and exciting opportunities for us. eBay has an enormous customer base throughout the world and as part of eBay for Change, we can now promote Secret Projects, our vision and Secret Products to 29 million people! Our Makers will see their work being sold all over the world, which is something they absolutely delight in! Through being a part of this innovative programme, we are confident that our customer base will grow significantly and that will translate into more stitching work for our Makers, which means more income for them to support themselves, their families and children.

As part of eBay for Change we are being given some fantastic support and guidance by the team at eBay, which is excellent and is helping us to navigate our way through this new market. We are learning so many great tips for retailers like us, who work hard to empower communities.

We are starting small and selling a limited number of Secret Products for now... but with a firm intention to grow our presence over time. To visit our eBay for Change shop HERE.

A plea to end... those of you who have an eBay account, please can you add Secret Projects to your favourites. Thanks!

 

Photo: Women from the Secret Projects Maker Community gather round the sewing machine!

More

Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog Range for pets!

Our latest range is for our four-legged friends! Introducing the Secret Projects Dig Dog range for pets! Pets love scraps and so do we! Made from the . . . scrap pieces of fabric left over from production of our other collections, we knew that our latest range for pets would go down a storm with pets and their owners alike! Although the bandannas are perhaps more appreciated by the owners than their furry companion, every dog will just love that each bandana comes with a matching treat bag - and all pet lovers know just how important treats are! Very handily, our little bags have a secure drawstring, so treats stay safely inside whilst out on a walk. Cuteness aside, (and this range is so cute...) our Dig Dog range is made for us by our Makers (the name we give to the women who lovingly stitch our products) and each woman is paid a fair wage for her skills and is able to use the money she earns with us to support herself, her children and her family. So, your pet is responsible for empowering women economically! Woof! The Dig Dog range is available in a range of sizes and pattern and colours - so you can be sure to find something that is perfect for your pooch! Click here to view the full collection.   Image: Coco and Biscuit resplendent in their Dig Dog range bandannas!      
Continue reading >
Our first destash!

Our first destash!

What to do on a rainy Sunday? Hold our very first destash! You may be asking what a destash is?  In short, it's a call out to people to go through old . . . sewing supplies and fabric etc. and donate it to a good cause. With that good cause being Secret Projects! We set up in the Pulborough Village Hall (which is close to where our Business Unit is), and, through various advertising methods, the word had spread and we were delighted to welcome scores of people who came along with their very gratefully received donations. Donations weren't just brought in on the day, we had parcels sent to us and others dropped supplies round to our CEO's house in Pulborough ahead of the official destash day. In total we collected 325 kilos of delici0us pre-loved sewing supplies. Much of the fabric donated has been sorted and will be made up into our ever popular and best selling scrap packs available through our eBay and Etsy Stores. In fact, we now have over 30 different scrap packs to purchase and more will be added, so do keep visiting our stores. We are still taking donations and if you do have any fabric or pre-loved sewing supplies, please do get in touch via fritha@secretprojects.org And of course the most enormous thank you everyone who donated to, and also helped us run our very first destash! More to come! Let's hear it for destashing!   Image: offering a cup of tea to all who came along to the destash was one way of us saying a big thank you.
Continue reading >
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!  
Continue reading >