A CONWY textile export centre has reached the final of three award ceremonies in less than 12 months of trading.
Social enterprise Draig Tex in Mochdre was officially launched by First Minister Carwyn Jones in September 2014 and has created 14 permanent jobs for local people since it opened its doors in Spring last year. The new textile export venture was established by three North Wales social enterprises (Crest Co-operative, Antur Waunfawr and Seren) and aims to keep the value of textiles in Wales.
Staff at Draig Tex celebrated this week after been named runners up in the Third Sector Awards Cymru, a national awards ceremony which was held in Cardiff. So far this year the organisation has gained recognition at three national and regional award ceremonies, including the Social Enterprise Awards Wales and the Daily Post Awards.
Draig Tex was the only North Wales based organisation to be shortlisted in the Third Sector Awards Environmental category last month. Ruth Marks, Chief Executive of the WCVA, who run the Third Sector Awards Cymru, said 19 groups had reached the final of the national awards ceremony. She said: “The creativity and dedication of these groups never ceases to amaze our judges.”
The three North Wales social enterprises, who established Draig Tex, all collect donations of clothing and textiles from residents across North Wales. They sell quality clothing in their shops and surplus textiles are reused through export at Draig Tex. The organisations all create work opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and unemployed individuals.
Draig Tex exports textiles worldwide to benefit communities in Pakistan, Africa and Eastern Europe. Profits are reinvested to support communities in North Wales. Draig Tex is currently working with 13 national and regional charities, collecting surplus textiles and working to export.
Sharon Jones, Chief Executive of Crest Co-operative, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of Draig Tex, said: “We are delighted to have reached the final of three prestigious Welsh award ceremonies in just 12 months of trading, it’s a fantastic achievement for the staff at Draig Tex and for the third sector in North Wales.
“The export centre is extremely busy at the moment and the dedicated team at Draig Tex have worked hard to provide a third sector service, which is helping to keep the value of textiles in Wales,” she added.
Find Draig Tex on Facebook or Twitter @DraigTex
