Meet Aruna!

Meet Aruna!

 13th Apr 2018 |  Stories about our Makers |  Fritha Mason


Did you know that garment workers are among lowest paid workers in the world, and roughly 85% of them are women? 

That is why at Secret Projects we work solely with women, providing them with a safe working environment and ensuring a fair and stable income. We are proud to be able to say that we pay our makers double minimum wage per hour, and encourage all the production to take place in makers’ homes or local community centres.

Meet Aruna! Aruna is part of our Hindpur maker group.

 Tell us a bit about yourself and how you become a maker?

I am a mother of two children. I decided to become a maker as I wanted to help my husband finance our children’s education. I have been making for Secret Projects for two years.

What impact has being a maker had on you and your family’s life?

I am happy to be assisting my husband with the household finances and being able to give my children a good education. I feel more responsible. My family is a lot happier now.

How does it make you feel?

I am happy to be a working and independent woman. I am proud of what I do.

How does it compare to other jobs you have had?

Compared to other jobs, my job at Secret Projects means that I can care for my family and be at home more.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

My life should be a inspiration to the women who are at home and feel worthless. I now feel valued for my work and they can too. I hope in the future more and more women in India work - for their families, but also for themselves. I think it is very liberating. 

What would you like to say to the customers at Secret Projects?

I thank all the costumers who have purchased the products I have made, and have encouraged my work.

More

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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The 2024 AGM of SPCBS will take place on 24th January 1-2pm UK time

The 2024 AGM of SPCBS will take place on 24th January 1-2pm UK time

The 2024 Annual General Meeting of Secret Projects Community Benefit Society We are delighted to announce that 2024 The Annual General Meeting of . . . Secret Projects Community Benefit Society will take place on January 24th at 1-2pm UK time. All Shareholders are warmly invited and notification and the agenda plus financial information have been sent out. Please do check inboxes and junk folders and if not received, please email: invest@secreprojects.org. We very much look forward to seeing our Shareholders and providing an update on our progress over the last year.    
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