Greenacres’ employees Mark Forknall and Jeanette Grant, production supervisor Jovanka Kanaris and Freedom Furniture Franchisee Ian Harrison with the IMAGINE scented candles range. Photo: Greenacres.
Greenacres Disability Service is enjoying the sweet smell of success with a national store now stocking its handmade soy candles.
The organisation started creating its range of IMAGINE homewares and hampers two years ago, beginning with scented candles, and have since branched out to include soy candle melts, room sprays, reed diffusers, gift sets, botanical bath salts, heat packs, eye pillows, eye masks and accessories.
Freedom Warrawong franchisee Ian Harrison said he was happy to support Greenacres and welcomed the collaboration.
“Freedom supports Greenacres in empowering individuals with disabilities, believing that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach their fullest potential,” he said.
Greenacres, based at North Wollongong, provides employment for about 200 people with a disability.
IMAGINE joins three Brewing Up a Storm cafes and catering services, retail and labour hire, packing, labelling, assembly and light manufacturing services in offering employment.
Greenacres Chief Commercial Officer Audra Tuckwood said IMAGINE was a social enterprise venture which aimed to give the group control over its future, rather than relying on external customers for work opportunities.
She said Greenacres’ employees had been predominantly packing, labelling and assembling products for key accounts but over the years there had been a decline in jobs coming through.
“We have worked hard to develop something we can grow both from a wholesale and retail perspective,” she said.
The IMAGINE line on the shelves at Freedom Furniture. Photo: Greenacres.
“Currently, some of our products are in the Parliament House gift shop and we recently did a collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia for the Gauguin exhibition, where we made gift sets of candles in exclusive scents with custom-designed packaging.”
The IMAGINE range is gathering interest with other stockists, especially since Greenacres launched it at the Reed Gift Fair in Sydney in February. Thirty stockists came on board then and many have since reordered products.
In the Illawarra, Tread Right Podiatry at Woonona was Greenacres’ first wholesale customer, stocking a selection of heat packs. The range is also available at Cocoon Trading at Thirroul.
Audra said Greenacres was “incredibly honoured and so grateful” for the opportunity to have the products featured at Freedom Warrawong.
“To have such a respected and well-known brand believe in our products and the people behind them is truly inspiring,” she said.
“It signifies more than just a spot on their shelves; it is a powerful endorsement of the quality and craftsmanship of our products, all of which are made by people with disability right here in Wollongong.
“Freedom’s belief in our purpose and their commitment to supporting our work reinforces the impact that inclusive employment can have in the community.
“We look forward to seeing our products reach even more homes and hearts, and we thank Ian and the team at Freedom Warrawong for this wonderful collaboration.”
Greenacres’ latest employment venture is a parks maintenance labour hire crew, which now mows and maintains four Wollongong Council parks.
To view and order the full range of IMAGINE products, visit Greenacres Disability Services.
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