Our Story
"We have been running our employability project and community run handmade craft shop for many years. We are delighted that through this project we have been able to support young people with perceived barriers to employment, creative artisans and volunteers."
Fayre & Square Wimbledon is a local employability project and community run handmade craft shop. Since 2013, we have been offering flexible training placements to individuals with perceived barriers to employment. These include physical or learning difficulties, mental health challenges and language or confidence issues.
Fayre & Square Wimbledon was initially set up by Volunteer Centre Merton in 2013 - with the aim of helping local young people (16 to 25 years old) with learning difficulties to gain work experience in order for them to increase their chances of gaining paid employment.
With the support of Centre Court Shopping Centre, they set up a shop showcasing local artisans, who paid rent and a commission to help cover running costs. The shop was open a few days a week as a venue for retail training.
Over the years, the project expanded its remit to help anyone of any age with barriers to employment because work experience and increased confidence is always valuable, whatever your circumstances.
Trainees have been referred to us from local colleges, the Job Centre and disability support organisations including Merton Employment Team and Choice Support. The aim is for trainees to go on to gain paid work, further training, or volunteering.
In 2019, due to lack of funding, Fayre & Square was threatened with closure. However, there was a waiting list of trainees and it was obvious that this was a much needed project. So, a group of volunteers and the artisan team decided to try to continue independently and formed the Fayre & Square Wimbledon Community Interest Company.
Sadly, due to the redevelopment of the Centre Court Shopping Centre site, we are currently homeless but organise pop up markets and hope to collaborate with other charities and organisations to continue our employability training.
With the support of Centre Court Shopping Centre, they set up a shop showcasing local artisans, who paid rent and a commission to help cover running costs. The shop was open a few days a week as a venue for retail training.
Over the years, the project expanded its remit to help anyone of any age with barriers to employment because work experience and increased confidence is always valuable, whatever your circumstances.
Trainees have been referred to us from local colleges, the Job Centre and disability support organisations including Merton Employment Team and Choice Support. The aim is for trainees to go on to gain paid work, further training, or volunteering.
In 2019, due to lack of funding, Fayre & Square was threatened with closure. However, there was a waiting list of trainees and it was obvious that this was a much needed project. So, a group of volunteers and the artisan team decided to try to continue independently and formed the Fayre & Square Wimbledon Community Interest Company.
Sadly, due to the redevelopment of the Centre Court Shopping Centre site, we are currently homeless but organise pop up markets and hope to collaborate with other charities and organisations to continue our employability training.