Made in Tain shop opens doors for business.

Issued on behalf of Made in Tain

A new local charity ‘Made in Tain’ is holding an Opening Day on Thursday 13 June at 11am – 2pm, where anyone who is interested can come in and have a look around. Light refreshments are being provided by The Royal Hotel, Tain.

The shop, located on Bank Street, Tain will provide work and life skills for young people with support needs.

Made in Tain will stock a variety of gifts for all occasions, made by the young people including: scented candles, an aromatherapy range, cards and soaps which can be made up into gift hampers to order. They also sell seasonal plants and have Tain-raised bedding and perennials available at the moment.

The charity was set up by an award winning social enterprise group of young people called The Digit Group, who attended Dornoch Academy, Invergordon Academy, Golspie High, Tain Royal Academy and St Duthus Special School.

Digit was created to develop social skills in young people as they plan for their transition from school.  With a lack of supported work opportunities in the local area the group decided to build on previous success in enterprise curricular work, and set up their own business. Working with the Social Enterprise Academy, the group learned how to produce gifts such as candles and soap.

In June 2012 the group travelled to Edinburgh to receive the Social Enterprise in Schools Award, presented by Mr John Swinney MSP. The shop has a workshop area for production, and a social area, where the young people can relax and enjoy each other’s’ company.

Jan Maclellan, Class Teacher at St Duthus Special School and Trustee, of Made in Tain said: “We were greatly encouraged by The Highland Council’s support for The Digit Group and our products began to sell very well at local events. We began to realise we really had the support of the local community for what we were trying to do which gave us the confidence to establish Made in Tain.

“We would like to thank all our funders: Firstport, The Robertson Trust and The Highland Council. We thank the Social Enterprise Academy and HISEZ (Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone) for business advice, Highlands and Islands Enterprise for furniture, Mr Colin Milligan of Arthur and Carmichael Dornoch for legal advice, and Tain Free Church, Tain Church of Scotland, Tain Aglow and Councillor Jim McGillivray for financial and moral support.

“In addition, our special thanks go to Sandy Macleod of Macleod Roofing Contractors for their incredible support and donations sourced from local business and trades in the renovation of the shop building, and also to St Duthus School for their support and encouragement of our vision.”

Local Members for Highland Council Wards of East Sutherland & Edderton; Cromarty Firth; and Tain & Easter Ross welcome the opening of Made in Tain.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Adult and Children’s Services Committee said: “The Council’s Programme is committed to meaningful engagement with the third sector especially where it supports new community developments, training and jobs. Made in Tain offers a very different future for the young people after leaving school. They now have the opportunity of work opportunities and also crucially, social inclusion within the community.”

Currently, Made in Tain are in the process of recruiting a Manager for the shop and project.