Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
STARTTS Community Development Seminar
Thursday 23 April 2015
What do we do?Our recent 2 minute video:
https://vimeo.com/111811050
A Short Interview with Naw Esther…
The Social Outfit believes that tapping into the rich creativity of our refugee and new migrant communities can lead to empowerment and social inclusion.
As a trading social enterprise, we provide education, training and employment opportunities in the fashion industry to refugee and new migrant communities in clothing production, retail, design and marketing.
We run a clothing retail store, onsite manufacturing and sewing school from 353 King Street, Newtown, Sydney.
We opened to the public in late June 2014 (almost 10 months of trading).
Our approach
1. Replication of an existing, successful social enterprise, The Social Studio
2. Take existing skills of the new migrant and refugee community and work together, i.e. strengths-based approach
3. ‘On the job training’ and a ‘live environment’ ideal for adult education and skills development
4. Provide a series of ways to enter the programs offered (i.e. from casual and drop-in programs, to secure employment)
5. Partner, collaborate and specialise… intermediary labour market and skills development… using excess fabric from the fashion industry…
Education, Employment, Empowerment
1. 3 x Sewing Technicians employed on permanent part-time contracts at 20 hours per week
2. 3 x Retail Staff employed on permanent part-time contracts at 1 day shift per week
3. 6 x people undertaking Certificate III Clothing Production in partnership with Sydney Institute TAFE (12-18 months to complete)
4. 9 x people regularly attend our weekly drop-in sewing classes
5. Community involvement via annual events
6. Community involvement via pilot projects
1. Sister relationship with The Social Studio
2. Referrals, skills development and relationships with STARTTS, SSI, Red Cross, House of Welcome, Asylum Seekers Centre and Fairfield High School
3. Sydney Institute TAFE NSW
4. Carla Zampatti became our Ambassador in October 2014. Worked with 8 other Australian fashion labels to date via fabric donations and/or retail advice
5. Support and advice from successful fashion boutiques
6. The development of our Leadership Council
Collaboration and learning examples…
1. New pilot work initiated with community. E.g. Partnered with Red Cross to offer a work experience placement to 2 women, and more this year…
2. With funding from Dusseldorp Forum, undertook pilot manufacturing work
3. Worked with at least 22 volunteers (and with only 4 volunteers exiting our work). Majority 6+ months of support
4. Observership Program
5. The Crunch program in 2015, in kind funding Westpac Foundation
I’m an asker! MH Carnegie & Co., Hornery Institute, Ken Done family and Gallery, etc.
Collaboration and learning examples… cont.
Where are we at?
What do we struggle with?
1. Human Resourcing
2. Financial stability
3. Keeping the community at the centre of our work
Social enterprise is a often about exploring the tension of social purpose and business… and doing it live!
Our valuesRespect, learning, transparency, creativity…
