The Sewing Rooms used the Reach Fund to strengthen business planning, develop new income streams and unlock investment to scale their social impact.
The Sewing Rooms – sewing for social impact
Whether it’s making bespoke items for luxury retailers, designing reusable laundry bags for Marriott Hotels, or manufacturing thermal cooking bags to tackle fuel poverty, The Sewing Rooms has one thread running through it all: using creativity and enterprise to make a tangible difference.
Based in Lancashire, The Sewing Rooms is one of several initiatives under Connector Media CIC, a community interest company founded by social entrepreneur Paula Gamester. Since launching in 2010, The Sewing Rooms has grown from a grassroots idea into a nationally recognised social business delivering commercial sewing and textile manufacturing services, while improving wellbeing, building skills and boosting employability in the local community.
The making of a thriving community led business
The idea for The Sewing Rooms traces back to a childhood gift: a second-hand sewing machine from Gamester’s mother. Paired with a growing belief in the value of enterprise to support and empower local people, and a career in business, this eventually led her to launch Connector Media CIC and subsequently The Sewing Rooms.
From the outset, The Sewing Rooms was designed to offer more than skills training. It’s a workplace where people gain confidence, build community and discover their potential. Beneficiaries – many of whom face barriers to employment – are trained, supported and employed as part of the enterprise’s core team.
Income from commercial contracts help to fund the organisations community work, allowing The Sewing Rooms to embed sustainability, wellbeing and circular design into both the business and social impact.
Growing through challenge
Throughout The Sewing Rooms’ journey, Gamester has always been guided by asking ‘How can we help?’ and shaping what her contribution should be in response to local needs. This has shaped the changes the organisation has made over the years, leading to where they are now.
In 2018, The Sewing Rooms secured its first grant from the Reach Fund to develop a business plan and financial forecast. This support was crucial to preparing for investment, and shortly after, the organisation secured £120,000 from First Arc (LIvv Invest) to help scale up its operations.
However, just as the business was hitting its stride, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Commercial contracts were cancelled, and the team was furloughed. Nevertheless, they acted quickly in pivoting their operations to produce face masks from home using donated antimicrobial fabric. This led to orders from clients that helped to stabilise the organisation during a time of uncertainty.
Another evolution occurred amid the cost-of-living crisis, when The Sewing Rooms launched one of its most innovative projects yet: thermal cooking bags. These insulated bags allow people to prepare hot meals using less energy, helping to reduce energy bills and lower emissions.
The Reach Fund has been a consistent support across The Sewing Rooms’ journey – from their initial investment-readiness work to their most recent award in 2025. Funding has helped develop new business models, improve forecasting, and unlock vital investment. Gamester says:
“It put the ‘building blocks’ in place. Without that support for business planning and forecasting, we wouldn’t have achieved the growth we have today”.
With the grant support, The Sewing Rooms has raised significant investment, built partnerships with luxury and multinational brands, and delivered meaningful impact for countless local people.
From navigating challenges with creativity to unlocking new investment, The Sewing Rooms is a powerful example of what community-led enterprise can achieve, with the right support at the right time.
