Work with us as an NGO



Work with us as an NGO

 15th Jul 2020 |  Work with us |  Fritha Mason


We proudly work with passionate and committed Indian based NGO’s, through a variety of approaches:

o Training for NGO self-help groups

o Training sessions for NGO staff teams

o Building Maker Networks with a central production support unit

o Grant applications

o Working with Secret Projects in partnership to drive micro-enterprise

o Contract Secret Projects as a delivery partner

Secret Projects began working with Brother Thomas, the Managing Director of NGO CARE, in 2016. Based in the town of Hindupur in the state of Andhra Pradesh, CARE serves a large, rural community and offers education, health care and livelihoods training to marginalised groups. Helped enormously by Brother Thomas, we were able to start a Maker Group in the region, that the women named Blossom. These wonderful Makers have grown in their confidence and skill and we are proud of the progress they have made on our Training for Empowerment Programme.

We were delighted to receive this message from Brother Thomas about the benefits to the women of Blossom

'CARE Hindupur, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the non-profit organizations in India working for the rural poor and empowering the women by providing vocational training, especially for those that are unable to continue regular education due to financial problem and marrying at a young age and starting a family. We are proud to be associated with Secret Projects and through our partnership we are able to offer training and income for women.  They have been able to meet the requirements of their family and also started micro-enterprises through the income they earned making Secret Projects merchandise. The women are very happy to have their earnings paid directly into their bank accounts'.

Brother Thomas, Managing Director CARE Hindupur

Photo: Brother Thomas and women from Secret Projects Maker Group. Blossom. 

Please click here to learn more about how we work with NGO's

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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!      
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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.
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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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