AND Clothes is a not for profit clothing brand that was set up by Susan Hanley and some the members at Leep1 two years ago.
With funding from the People’s Health Trust we have been able to dedicate staff time and money into the project to see it grow.
ANDCLOTHING IS NOT JUST A CLOTHING COMPANY
Abilities Not Disabilities was set up to redefine the public’s negative perception of disability. The brand aims to end stigma that people with a learning disability face and showcase talent, skill and abilities.
The 8 AND entrepreneurs involved in the project are passionate and dedicated to giving themselves and other LD adults around the world a voice using our powerful #AbilitiesNotDisabilities message to end stigma, hate and inequality.
EBAY FOR CHANGE
In 2021 the project was lucky enough to be accepted onto the Ebay For Change programme. Ebay for Change supports small social enterprises to be able to grow and develop, using Ebay as a online selling platform. ANDClothing is one of around 80 social enterprises from all over the world currently receiving support.
Ebay believes that business can be a powerful force for positive change and with the scale of their marketplace they have an important role to play in ensuring we can all help build a future economy that works for everyone. The programme aims to support social entrepreneurs and create jobs in vulnerable communities by supporting the growth of the social enterprise sector.
The support we have received has been fantastic. The Ebay team have tailor made their training sessions to suit us and our members. The group will be learning everything to help us make our Ebay store and our online selling venture a success.
Ebay specialists will be coaching and mentoring us in listing optimization, marketing and digital skills. The programme has also offered discounts on essential items such as postage costs, free listing fees and a professional shop front to our very own ANDClothing Ebay store.
AND Clothing launched their brand new Ebay store in January 2022 and over the next few months will be learning how to get a foothold in the massive Ebay marketplace.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The success of the AND project since it started last year and the interest we have had in it means we are trying to secure more funding to expand the current offer to three days a week. This way we will be able to support more adults with learning disabilities and offer more opportunities that will help build confidence, enhance skill set and create avenues into employment.
Photos by Jan Wells
