New-U

• To help minimise the harmful effects of the textile industry on the planet by encouraging the wider public to contribute towards sustainable fashion.
• To support long term unemployed people to gain in confidence and skills to move towards paid work and to play a fully active role within their communities.

The way in which textiles are produced and marketed has huge implications for both the environment and for social inequality.  Long term unemployed people face numerous barriers to moving towards employment and many of these cannot be overcome without intervention geared to the individual and their specific needs.  Bringing these two aims together will better the lives of so many now and in the future.

Our vision is to give all members of the community the opportunity to contribute towards sustainable fashion and to mobilise and educate people to make throw away  fashion a thing of the past.  By encouraging the wider public to put used clothing back into circulation for something in return, we are offering an accessible and alternative shopping experience giving the general public an opportunity to have a direct impact on climate change.

Whilst achieving the above, New-U Enterprises offers individualised work placements in our clothes and accessories swap shop in central Norwich.   We have worked with people with low level mental health issues, lack of confidence and self esteem and we target those furthest from work including those with hidden disabilities, criminal backgrounds and minimal or no previous work history.   Our approach is different for each participant and our success is due to the flexibility and empathy shown to each person which allows them to progress at their own pace.