From Waste to Opportunity: Social Enterprise in Action This Fashion Revolution Week
Fashion Revolution Week is a moment to ask the question at the heart of the movement: Who made my clothes and at what cost? But it's also a moment to celebrate the people building something different. The social entrepreneurs, community makers, and quiet revolutionaries who are reimagining how fashion can work...for people and for the planet.
Right now, the world needs more of those ideas. And crucially, it needs more people who are willing to act on them.
That’s why, as Ideas Collective 2026 approaches, we talked to Maria Verrecchia Head of Retail and Redistribution at Change Clothes , a community clothing reuse hub in Dublin's Liberties tackling textile waste at its source, while creating real pathways into work and community for people who need it most.
Her journey into social enterprise shows what’s possible when you start before you feel read and why the right support can make all the difference.
If you've got an idea that's been sitting in the back of your mind, this might be the moment to explore it. STAND's Ideas Collective is open, and we'd love to help you develop it: https://stand.ie/what-we-do/ideas-collective
C: Could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to your current role at Change Clothes?
M: I’ve worked in retail on and off over the years, but I actually spent about a decade in the music industry, including managing a band. It was a really formative time for me and taught me a lot about people, creativity, and organisation. After that, I had two children and eventually moved into working in a psychology practice, a very different but equally valuable environment.
After a while, I realised I wanted a change and to do something I genuinely cared about. I’ve always loved fashion, especially second-hand and upcycling, so I started volunteering with Change Clothes. I didn’t have a big plan at the time, I just knew it felt right.
For me it was a joy and I really felt passionate about the work we were doing.
From there, I became the Weekend Swap Shop Manager. After a few months Change Clothes received funding that allowed a full-time role to open up for me. I made the change, left my job in the psychology practice, and joined Change Clothes full-time as Head of Retail and Redistribution. I have been thoroughly enjoying my job!
C: For those who may not be familiar, can you tell us about Change Clothes and the mission behind it?
M: Change Clothes is a community based clothing and textile reuse hub in the heart of the Liberties in Dublin 8. We recently became a registered charity and our main focus is to tackle textile waste by dealing with the problem locally before it becomes a global issue, while also creating opportunities for people in our community.
Our main goal is to make textile reuse accessible, social, and genuinely enjoyable. We want to shift the perception of secondhand fashion and show that it can be creative, affordable, and fun!
Our work spans a few key areas. On the retail side, we run a permanent clothing swap shop, making it easy for people to refresh their wardrobes without buying new, alongside a scrap store at our Thomas Street hub for crafters and makers. We also offer sustainable styling and curated “mystery packs” for those new to second-hand or unable to visit in person.
Education is a big part of what we do too. Through upcycling workshops and longer programmes, we support people who’ve been out of work to build creative and practical skills.
On the production side, our Cut, Make, Trim studio creates zero-waste products from reclaimed materials. And through our Community Closet Programme, we partner with local charities to redistribute quality clothing to people experiencing homelessness, ensuring it continues to be used and valued.
C: Which of Change Clothes’ impacts are you most proud of?
M: It has to be our Community Closet Programme. This is growing from strength to strength, which really shows us that many people in the community need our help. We are lucky to be in a position to offer dignity to those who really struggle on a day to day basis.
C: Before getting involved in Change Clothes, what was your understanding, if any, of social enterprise?
M: Great question. My husband volunteered and served on the board at the Dublin Food Co-op, so I had some understanding of how it worked, but not a whole lot. It's been an invaluable learning curve for me.
C: Why do you think social enterprise is an important model today?
Social enterprises are really important today because they support both the community and the people working in it.
For us, it’s not just a charity shop or scrap store, it’s a welcoming space where people feel included and valued. It also brings together creative, like-minded people who want to make a difference while working and learning at the same time.
C: Some people may find the idea of social enterprise unclear or even intimidating what would you say to them?
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of social enterprise. Maybe just find one in your local community and drop in. See what they do and if there are ways you can support or get involved. You won’t regret it. You’ll meet new people, make friends, and you might even discover a new hobby!
C: How important is government and wider institutional support for social enterprises like Change Clothes? And what more do you think could be done to help the sector grow?
M: Highly important: without the support of the government, it can be a really hard struggle to keep the doors open.
For social enterprises to really grow, we need funding to last for the long term. There’s also a big opportunity around public procurement. If government bodies made a conscious effort to work with social enterprises, it would create more stable income while supporting organisations doing real social and environmental work.
C: What would you like to see happen in the social enterprise space over the next few years?
M: I’d love to see this space really thriving over the next few years. This can happen with more support better funding, with a view to being able to stand confidently on its own two feet. But just as importantly, I’d love to see it bring more people together. Communities made up of young and old, schools, families, and people from all walks of life, all connecting through shared purpose
C: If someone is considering getting involved in social enterprise, whether starting something or joining an organisation, what advice would you give them?
Do it, don’t hesitate. I think too many people spend time in jobs they don’t really enjoy or doing things they don’t love. If you’ve got an idea, just go for it and try it out. That’s exactly how Change Clothes started for us, and it’s just grown from strength to strength.
Maria’s story is a reminder that social innovation doesn’t start with certainty, it starts with showing up, trying something, and saying yes to the next step.
If you’ve got an idea that won’t quite go away, whether it’s fully formed or just a spark, this is your opportunity to take it further. With the right support, structure, and community, that idea can become something real.
STAND’s Ideas Collective is designed for exactly that: helping early-stage social innovators turn intention into action.
Applications are now open here.
