Phone: 01854 612702
Made in Ullapool is a social enterprise that aims to support vulnerable adults in a work environment, offering work and training opportunities to people who have a range of disabilities. At Made in Ullapool people have the chance to develop new skills at an individual pace in a safe nonjudgmental setting.
The Project idea came about in May 2010, it started in Tony, Lesley and Esther’s kitchen, nearly four years on and we have our own refurbished premises thanks to the help of numerous individuals and businesses in and around Ullapool. You can find us at the Cal Mac car park opposite Ullapool Harbour – who have helped and supported us from the beginning. The shop and work shop are open 10am to 5pm, six days a week (Friday 12-5pm), and is manned by volunteers. The whole enterprise is a nonprofit making project, which relies solely on the goodwill of the voluntary sector, sales, and any grants and donations we receive.
We currently hold candle and card making workshops on weekdays, we have fifteen trainee volunteers who attend workshops and participate in all aspects of the production and selling of the candles and cards. We have very close ties with Ullapool high school, and Pupils from the learning support department have the opportunity to be involved in the project, which provides support in the transition from school to a work environment.
As well as the shop we also attend events, sales and markets in other areas of the Highlands – in 2011 we were awarded the Best in Show award for our stand at the Black Isle Show!
It is our aim to give vulnerable adults the opportunity to fufill their individual potential and goals in a supported work environment within their local community.
Tony is a founder of Made In Ullapool, his background in art, and his ability to turn his hand to anything has been an amazing asset to the project, he built all our display units when we moved in, and is the ongoing handy man. Tony runs regular workshops, and is involved in taking the project forward.
Lesley is a founder member of Made In Ullapool, driven by the lack of local resources in the area for people with support needs, she has been committed from the start, helping to find a product that was safe and fun to produce that customers would want to buy. She is still involved today running some of the workshops for the trainee volunteers.
Esther was a founder member of Made in Ullapool, and the inspiration to her parents to get the project off the ground. Esther believed that everyone should have the opportunity to grow and learn in a supported environment, she has taught us all that Made in Ullapool is not just for people with a disability. At stages in our life we all need supporting and that’s what we do at MIU. Esther lost her fight for life in November 2013 and her legacy is a thriving resource that everyone can be part of.
I like listening to music, dancing and swimming. At the candle shop I always make sure that everyone has an apron, I like pouring the candles and serving customers on the till.
Laura comes to Made in Ullapool workshops with the High school once a week, she likes it so much that she comes during the school holidays too.
Angie joined Made In Ullapool at a time when we were going from craft based resource, with aspirations of becoming a well-run business, Angie took us to her heart and has taken on all the financial and administrative aspects of the business and knocked it into shape, everyone depends on her organisational skills for the day to day running of the business.
This is by no means everybody that’s involved with Made in Ullapool, there are many more who give their time so generously to help out in all sorts of different ways and we are all incredibly grateful to each and every one of them who continue to make Made in Ullapool what it is today.