The Sewing Rooms, a social enterprise in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, that helps women build confidence through sewing, intends to offer fashion and textile qualifications and has applied to become an accredited training centre with SEG Awards.

The centre currently delivers community-based training programmes, but once approved will be widening its remit to offer accredited training, school support, adult learning, jobs, employer support and eventually apprenticeships.

To promote the new offering, The Sewing Rooms has taken delivery of UKFT’s Pop-Up Factory and Careers Showcase, which would ordinarily be featured at a range of nationwide careers events for young people.

Celia Thornley, Skills and Training Manager at UKFT, said: “Congratulations to the Sewing Rooms on becoming an Approved Centre for fashion and textiles training and qualifications. This is much needed provision in the area, where employer are crying out for skilled sewing machinists and appropriate training facilities. The centre has fantastic resources, from light and airy workrooms to up to date equipment and experienced, skilled staff. What a fantastic new home for our Career Showcase!”

Before the pandemic hit, The Sewing Rooms produced curtains and soft furnishings, using profits to support the most vulnerable in its community and working with a range of local groups, including those often marginalised such as ex-offenders, people who have experienced domestic violence and those with mental health challenges.

In March last year, The Sewing Rooms began making PPE for NHS workers and other essential staff and pivoted into producing bespoke, branded masks.

Now The Sewing Rooms is launching two new projects – the Design Studio and a business start-up programme called Drive, working as a delivery partner with Social Enterprise Lancashire Network (Selnet) and funded through the European Social Fund.

For more about The Sewing Rooms and its work, click here.