C.E.A.R.T. Wicklow

WICKLOW TRAVELLERS' GROUP LTD.

INTRODUCTION

Wicklow Travellers Group Ltd. is a partnership between Travellers and settled people. It is a voluntary non-profit making organisation, which was formed in 1992, it became a limited company on the 5th May 1995 and received Charitable Status on 3rd December 1998. Membership consists of Travellers and settled people who are committed to Travellers right to self-determination and equality in Irish society.

Wicklow Travellers' Group Ltd.

The company was founded in 1993 to respond to the needs of the Traveller community in East Wicklow. Initially most of the time was given to facilitating Travellers find suitable accommodation. The original education programmes were of short duration and taken one morning a week. It was during these programmes that the Traveller women showed interest in traditional crafts. The older women taught the younger generation skills in flower making, quilting and specific Traveller crafts i.e. the making of the Traveller apron, a decorative garment with an over enlarged pocket.

Wicklow Travellers' Group Ltd. is a founding member of Wicklow Working Together, an A.D.M. sponsored community group. With Capital Funding received from this organisation domestic knitting machines were bought and some of the women began to master the skills required to produce simple knitted garments. To facilitate the education process further Wicklow Travellers' Group Ltd. was continually sourcing additional funding.

In 1997 a new round of European funds became available under Integra Employment. 75% of costs would be funded from Europe provided the remaining 25% was secured elsewhere. For a project application to be successful for these pilot schemes it was essential to propose an original way of responding to social exclusion in the labour market.

To our delight our submission was successful. The central idea was to train women from the Traveller and settled community in all the basic skills essential for setting up a knitwear design co-op in partnership with members of the settled community.

The last quarter of 1997 was spent in securing the remaining 25% matching funding. Eventually, after much negotiation, Fas, Baggot St, Department of Community & Family Affairs and Co. Wicklow V.E.C. agreed to fund us.

In addition to the European Social Fund a grant was also given for capital expenditure. This was invaluable in enabling us purchase all the machinery needed to set up a new training unit and business. The matching funding was provided by the Dominican sisters.

The training programme known as "Meeting of the Waters" began in February 1998 and continued over a 2 year period. 18 women from both the Traveller and settled community were involved.

The last 6 months of the training focused on preparing the business plan. This was achieved with the additional help of the Enterprise section of Wicklow Working Together, a community sponsored organisation, Smurfit Business School, and Fas Co-operative Unit, Ballydoyle.

Coinciding with business plan activities the women on the project developed a line of garments, which were displayed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in mid October 1999. This display was favourably received.

With the help of Smurfit School of Business and a Marketing Research firm, the advice and direction provided through the above, assisted the development of the business plan and enabled the business to develop the business product. The business consists of two areas the knitwear department, which concentrates on ladies fashion, Knitwear suites, separates & accessories. The second area of the business is the weave department, which focuses on interior, soft furnishings and fashion accessories developed to compliment the Knitwear. We have developed an exciting range for Summer 2000 range and already have begun the preliminary design for Autumn/Winter collection, which will be in production shortly.

With regard to the ongoing training of those involved in the new business and new Traveller students showing interest in fashion and design, Wicklow Travellers' Group Ltd. has been fortunate in receiving a Department of Education Senior Traveller Training Programme administered by Co. Wicklow V.E.C. The participants on this new programme will receive a broad general education but those who feel so inclined will be facilitated to develop skills relevant to the fashion and design business. The long-term hope is that the new trainees will be absorbed over time into Shuttle-Knit increasing those employed by the company to 20 members by the year 2004. Visit the Shuttle-Knit website at homepage.eircom.net/~shuttle

Contact Details for Shuttle-Knit

Manager: Mr Rick Robinson
Shuttle-Knit Limited
C.E.A.R.T
Crinion Park
Wicklow Town
Co. Wicklow
Phone: 0404-25641
Fax: 0404-62599
E-Mail: shuttleknit@eircom.net

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