The Social Studio’s mission is to empower vulnerable communities through work and education in fashion. We provide a way for those from refugee and migrant backgrounds to expand their skills, access education, seek meaningful employment and be part of a supportive community. And perhaps most importantly, we’re a safe space for those looking to restart their lives in Melbourne.
We’re small but mighty, operating as a non-profit incorporated association overseen by a Board of Management.
The Social Studio relies heavily on community involvement and donations to continue providing education and employment opportunities to young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Whether you’re shopping at our retail store, working with our ethical clothing production studio or donating money, materials or professional services, everything that goes into The Social Studio is invested right back into our free education and employment programs for migrant and refugee youth.
Donate time and money
We don’t necessarily believe money makes the world go ‘round, but we definitely need it to keep our educational and social support programs running. By donating to The Social Studio, you’re helping us to offer free accredited and pre-education programs to migrant and refugee youth, as well as paid traineeships in retail and fashion, and music, dance and modelling opportunities as part of our events. Above all else, your donations enable us to advocate for the skills and capacity of refugee communities to design their own futures.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Donate now.
Workplace giving
Love what we do at The Social Studio, and think your colleagues will, too? Get in touch with us – we’d love to discuss how we can be included in your new or existing workplace giving program.
Donate Time
If you’d prefer to spend more hands-on time with us, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteers are the lifeblood of The Social Studio, and we’re always looking for supporters, partners and advocates who share our vision of creating positive change for migrant and refugee youth.
Join the movement
Since 2009, The Social Studio has relied on the support and commitment of volunteers to keep our free education and employment-based programs afloat. We often say they are our lifeblood – and we mean it. Without volunteers, it would be near impossible for us to have the impact that we do when it comes to creating positive change for migrant and refugee youth. Our volunteers also help connect our students and graduates to the local community.
Find out more about the volunteer positions we have available here. Or, if you’d like to register your interest for any and all volunteer opportunities at The Social Studio, please download and fill out this form, and send it to us with your CV. We’re always on the hunt for committed, passionate people who can support our retail, design, production and events activities, as well as offer professional and administrative services, fundraising ideas and initiatives, or teaching support, student ESL classes and tutorials.
We can’t wait to hear from you.
Help us fundraise
If you’re good at getting people to open their hearts and their wallets, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you join one of our campaigns or create something that’s entirely your own – at work, at school, or wherever you’d like – your efforts can make a real difference in the lives of migrant and refugee youth seeking education and employment opportunities in the community.
Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
- Nominate The Social Studio as your fun run charity
- Host an event and collect donations in your local community
- Set a challenge for you and your peers
- Kick off a corporate fundraising or workplace giving initiative
Get in touch with us here about fundraising for TSS
Donate sewing stuff & other supplies
Our fashion school relies on donations of fabric, materials, and equipment, and our sustainable fashion label is created almost entirely from up-cycled materials. If you have fabric, notions, and other sewing-related supplies you’re willing to donate, there’s a good chance we’d love to take them off your hands. Not only are you helping ensure we have the materials our students need, you’re also reducing landfill waste, one roll of fabric at a time.
A few things to note:
- We prefer clean, on-the-roll fabric donations to small off-cuts less than one metre in length, and would appreciate if you could contact us beforehand to discuss your donation so we can ensure we have adequate storage space and discuss delivery arrangements.
- We accept notions such as buttons, thread, bias tape, ribbon, zippers, needles, and trim.
- Sewing books and unused patterns are welcome, as are sewing and quilting materials such as cutting mats, scissors and tools.
- We accept domestic and industrial sewing machines and professional irons that are in good working condition.
Please note that we do not accept:
- Patterns that have been cut out or partially assembled projects
- New or used clothing
- Bedding or curtains
- Fabric scraps or remnants
As a small organisation, we are unfortunately unable to pick up your donations. Donations can be dropped off during our business hours, between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Friday at:
101/30 Perry St, Collingwood, VIC
For more information about donating supplies, please give us a ring on 03 9417 2143 or email info@thesocialstudio.org
Provide Work Opportunities
Looking for an extra set of hands?
Students and graduates of The Social Studio have so much to offer: incredible talent, energy, skills and a solid understanding of what it takes to succeed in the fashion industry. If you’re a business operating in the fashion, retail or manufacturing sector, we’d love to discuss any potential job or placement opportunities for our students you may have. Everything from internships and work experience programs to short- or longer-term employment can make a real difference in the lives of our students and graduates.
Become a mentor
We are fortunate to have so many amazing creatives in our orbit but we are always looking for more to join the family to share their knowledge, skills and networks with our students and alumni. If you are interested in dedicating some of your time, please get in touch.
Our wider community spirit
We like to align ourselves with other companies and groups that believe in fashion as a meaningful connector – after all, we’re big believers in the power of cooperation. We participate in forums, workshops and events that support the local community, and we also mentor other creative enterprises including The Social Outfit (Sydney), Twich Women’s Sewing Cooperative (Dandenong), No Sweat Fashions (Canberra) and The Global Studio (La Trobe Valley), among others.
Please email info@thesocialstudio.org to get in touch.