Our mission
OUR VISION
We believe in equality and caring for what matters most – people and the planet. We want to see radical changes in how we as a society produce, shop and support the people who need it.
Our products are designed by some of Ireland best designers and made by people facing social challenges who have been supported to develop valuable skills and gain employment in their craft. Becoming a skilled maker means people can change the trajectory of their life and that of their families and communities. We also produce our products in environmentally friendly ways, reducing waste, travel miles and avoiding harmful production methods. When you choose to support We Make Good, you are supporting social & environmental change in Ireland.
Our Values
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We work towards a more equal Ireland where everyone has the chance to achieve their goals
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We work hard to produce quality and follow through on what we say we will do
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We act with kindness and care - for our staff and our clients
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We do things differently – creativity is needed to solve the complex problems faced by society
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We operate in partnership to achieve more impact than we can alone
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We aim towards transparency in all our business operations
Our Story
Our Impact to date...
...on people
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To date we’ve employed over 26 people from marginalised backgrounds. In 10 years, it will be over 150 families with their lives radically improved
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Our jobs last between 6 months and 3 years and in that time employees learn workplace skills and increase their confidence, sense of belonging, personal pride and meaning
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100% of those that have left have moved to employment or education
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We also support other Social Enterprises to develop new products, helping create more work opportunities
...on the planet
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Reduced product air-miles
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Reduced production waste and chemical use
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Enhanced circular economy activity through innovative use of recycled products
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Reduced inventory and fashion waste through small MOQs
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Supporting the slow fashion movement in Ireland by providing Irish designers with ethical production options
Our Team
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Anna
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Anthony
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Caroline
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Elena
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Lucy
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Mariam
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Nadine
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Naimot
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Oksana
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Sarah Ryan
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Sarah Verdon
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Tonya
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Tommy
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Virginie
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Yvonne
Anna
Anna comes from Co. Meath. She has worked in several jobs before joining We Make Good almost a year ago, and she really enjoys it.
Anna's interests include music—she plays the violin in her local orchestra and loves attending concerts with friends. She is also passionate about keeping fit, enjoying activities like running and hiking. In addition, Anna loves to travel.
Anthony
Anto is Dublin born and bred, and is a natural sales man who prides himself on being approachable and able to talk to anyone. Skills that were developed in ways that led to him being in the criminal justice system and now being used to serve clients and help grow the WMG business. He says that working in WMG ‘means everything to me, as I have a second chance, I am motivated not just to improve my life but also for my family. I am sober over a year now and I’m working full time. I hope I can show the way for others - just because you got into crime it doesn’t mean you stay in it. When you are earning a legal income, you don’t have to look over your shoulder all the time, it’s really living. For the future I hope to take over this place, I reckon I could be the boss!’
Caroline
Caroline is co-founder of We Make Good
To hear a TedX about the project click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXtBYQP2ITo
Elena
Elena is originally from Mykolaiv, Ukraine and has lived in Ireland since March 2022 with her children and her cats. Elena has studied and working in textiles for many years, specializing in tailoring and cutting and bringing these skills to her role in We Make Good. She also had her own costume design business in Ukraine creating costumes for many organizations including theater and events.
Elena enjoys baking and recently completed a certificate in pastry baking and also loves Com Con, creating costumes for herself and family every year. Comment end
Lucy
Mariam
Mariam is from Georgia and left seven years ago to seek asylum in Ireland, with her two children and husband. The hardest thing about this transition was leaving her family, but needed to leave for the future of her children and safety of her family.
Adapting to an entirely new culture without friends or networks was the hardest thing, this made getting a job challenging.
Mariam says of We Make Good: ‘It is really important that in my work I feel that I am doing something that is important and useful for others, and that sets a good example for my children. I am developing my skills in high-end tailoring. In five years I would like to have my own couture brand. This has been my childhood dream, I will be happy if people wear my clothes.’
Nadine
Nadine is proudly Dublin born and bred. Having overcome a number of life struggles including childhood challenges, homelessness and addiction. Nadine is rebuilding her life, one day at a time. As a core member of the team, she is using this experience to build work skills, friendships and develop her leadership. She is becoming a seasoned media spokesperson: communicating the importance of second chances, and showing through her achievements the power of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.
Naimot
Oksana
Oksana is from Kiev in Ukraine and has lived in the heart of Dublin since 2023. Her adult son is still in Kiev and she enjoys getting updates on his life with his girlfriend there. Oksana has worked sewing in factories over many years and has brought speed and accuracy to her position in We Make Good. She is enjoying developing her skills in high end designer products and looks forward to building on this during her time here.
Sarah Ryan
Sarah Ryan is our Sales and Marketing manager at We Make Good. She is deeply passionate about ethical marketing & sales strategy and its role in creating social justice & environmental protection. Sarah has 10 years experience in Sales & Digital Marketing in a range of enterprises and is currently completing her Masters with a focus on Ethical Marketing. She is a qualified Digital Marketer and a formally trained photographer (BA Fine Art), and designer. Previous projects involve the development & implementation of a marketing & retail development plan that doubled sales and online followers of The Urban Co-op Grocery Limerick over a two year+ period. She currently manages a portfolio of ethically and socially focused organisations and enterprises.
Sarah Verdon
Prior to working with WMG, Sarah spent 15 years in Luxury Fashion including nine years in Rocha studios. Over this time she managed production and sampling, wholesale campaigns and product and design development.
Sarah came to WMG as she wanted to use her experience to advance sustainable and ethical approaches to fashion production.
As Sarah says “combining my passion for producing high quality fashion with the opportunity to create real opportunities for people, is something I feel really grateful. A good day in the workshop is watching someone achieve something they never thought they could, then packaging up the high quality finished products, knowing that the customer will love the product and the story behind it’.
Tonya
Tonya hails from Dnipro, Ukraine. She moved to Ireland when the war began in Ukraine, seeking safety for herself and her daughter. This period was quite challenging for them, but Tonya is very grateful for the immense support and kindness from the Irish people and the wonderful community in Ireland that supports Ukrainian refugees.
In Ukraine, Tonya graduated from college as a seamstress, but also worked in the beauty industry as a massage therapist for some time. She established a small studio in her hometown, which she entrusted to her daughter-in-law after the onset of the war.
Tonya feels fortunate to have found a wonderful job and to be part of the team at 'We Make Good.' She is incredibly grateful to each member of the team for their support and care, and for everything they have done for her. The team feels like a big family where they help each other, and she is truly happy to work in such a wonderful place. Tonya never feels alone and knows that in difficult times, she will always feel their love and support. She extends her heartfelt thanks to 'We Make Good' for their love and support for everyone.
Tommy
Virginie
Hailing originally from Togo, Virginie came to Ireland as a refugee in 2005. She is now delighted to have become an Irish citizen since then, an identity she is proud of. Virginie has experienced hardship throughout the journey that has brought her here, including leaving family in Togo and experiencing homelessness in Ireland. A staple throughout Virginie's life, and one which she is now building on, is making clothes. She is honing her skills in the workshop and is becoming an increasingly talented seamstress.
Yvonne
As the Social Enterprise Staff Support Person at We Make Good, Yvonne supports people who have complex lived experience to realise their potential and to maximize opportunities for personal and professional development in We Make Good. She strongly believes that meaningful employment acts as a powerful catalyst for change which can have a profound impact for individuals, families, and communities. Yvonne says: ‘I am constantly in awe of the incredible work ethic, unbelievable talent and capabilities of the staff at We Make Good. I feel very lucky to be involved in this inspirational journey that they are taking, both as individuals and as a team'. She has a background in Social Care, Training and Community Development, and is a trainer in Trauma Informed Practice.
OUR NETWORK
We support people and businesses who work hard to make the world a fairer, safer and healthier place. Want to deepen your ethical impact or collaborate?
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Whether you’d like to join our team, support our work or partner with us on a project we’d love to hear from you