Vintage Mary Dei #gofullcircle

This blog post is the latest part of our Winter ‘Go Full Circle’ campaign, which is promoting the role of – and encouraging consumers to support - Welsh social enterprises, co-operatives and other community organisations in the run-up to Christmas.

Vintage MaryDei, which has just celebrated its 2nd birthday, is a social enterprise in North Wales that shines a light on the role of carers through the world of vintage clothing.

The business was set up by two sisters, Nerys Ann Roberts and Mair Jones, to support carers in the Denbigh area, in memory of their parents, Mary and Dei Jones. The sisters cared for their parents for many years - their mother suffered with vascular dementia and their father became disabled following a fall. During this time they met so many carers who were looking after their loved ones with such determination and often with little support.

From this experience the motivation for Vintage MaryDei came about. Their main hub is the vintage clothes shop based in Hall Square in Denbigh.

They’re also operating an online shop via their website – www.marydei.com. The business collects clothes of all types and arranges a variety of community events, including fashion shows, gigs and various workshops, to raise awareness of their aims and to raise funds.

Mair’s told us that they’ve experienced some interesting developments since setting up: “We are increasingly meeting more carers and are listening to them. As we develop our business we will begin to provide the kind of services that they tell us are lacking. For the present, we are providing a listening and sensitive ear and signposting them to sources of support available.

“When we were carers, we had such little opportunity to offload the stresses and strains. Vintage MaryDei is determined to create a space where carers can be listened to, be informed but also be enabled to escape and have some creative and fun times, even for a few hours.”

Mair continues “To set up a business in one of the worst recessions since the 1930′s and during a time when high street businesses are being squeezed from every direction, was a daring act of faith! Then again, we had a mission and a burning purpose. To try in whatever little way to reach out to carers within our town. For many, this situation is even more evident at Christmas. The festive period can be challenging enough at the best of times, but can be even more so when you find yourself caring for loved ones”.

The organisation featured in this blog post is just one of many that you can support. Many more can be found on our Go Full Circle directory. Happy Christmas and ‘buy social’.