Employees enjoying the sweet smell of success as candle factory opens in Ulladulla

A new candle factory is providing adults with a disability an opportunity to contribute to the Ulladulla community while developing new skills and creating social connections.

Three participants are melting wax, blending scents and inserting wicks into their candles as part of the new supported employment platform run by the Remmy disability service.

Remmy Accessible Employment Manager Nicole Prior said the idea was to create an employment opportunity that caters for most levels of disability.

“The idea of making and selling candles was considered because of the vast opportunities for different types of employment involved,” she said.

“From sourcing supplies, testing, manufactory, packing, marketing, selling, accounts including purchasing and invoicing to web maintenance and much more.”

Nicole said supported employment promoted self-value and the ability for adults with a disability to contribute to the community while developing new skills and creating social connections.

“It also provides structure and routine, which is quite important in the disability sector,” she said.

The Remmy participants are starting out with candle making, but plans are in the pipeline to expand to other products in the future.

“As we only opened our doors on 28 August, the participants are still in the early stages of product development,” Nicole said.

“Once testing progresses we would like to sell the candles at a reduced price for feedback to ensure the final product is of the highest quality.”

Natasha Haramis, Jade McDonald and Bradley Dixon are enjoying the opportunity to create the candles and learn new skills.

“I like learning lots of different things, it is also fun,” Jade said.

Brad said it was good to be earning money and helping the community.

“I am having fun and doing something different to what I used to do,” Natasha said.

Anybody with Core Budget within their NDIS plan can be employed at Remmy.

“At this stage we have three employees with several more showing interest,” Nicole explained.

Remmy is an independent company established in 2019 and Nicole said employment became part of their vision early on.

“We are pleased now to be delivering this service to those in our community who wish to participate,” she said.

Remmy runs a variety of social groups and opportunities for people with a disability including Social Centres at Milton and Bomaderry, which provide community participation, and social engagement whilst building their life skills. Participants take part in craft groups, nature walks, excursions and even CrossFit classes.

Remmy hosts Wednesday dinner nights, and a new cooking group, ‘Ready Set Cook’, will be launched soon.

To find out more about employment opportunities at the new Candle Factory, call 7202 9221 or check out the Remmy website.