HOPE – FX The Next Chapter

11-02-2025
Newsletter 29th May 2024
The Future of HOPE-FX

Yesterday, 28th May, was a big day for FEL’s innovative HOPE-FX program, whereby the five boroughs that make up the North London Mental Health Partnership Trust came together for their quarterly public board meeting at British Medical Association House. Chief Executive, Jinjer Kandola, kindly invited us to the meeting to give an update to attendees including; Jonathan Wells from Camden and Islington Mental Health Trust and Nina Browne from Haringey. CEO Jenny Holloway represented FEL / founders of the concept, and HOPE-FX participant James spoke about his experience on the program.

Jenny commented: “Grateful thanks to Jinjer Kandola for inviting us to the board meeting, we had a loose review of the problems, solutions, the approach, lessons learned and what future steps could look like, and we all worked as a collective and a team. The strongest voice came from one of the participants, James, he spoke from the heart.”

James said: “My life has blossomed thanks to this project, I now wake up knowing what I’m doing…it has given me new friendships too and it’s brought me back into society.”
Jenny Holloway acknowledged her son Zac Holloway who came up with the idea and the name for the program. Jenny started off her presentation thanking her son for coming up with such an innovative approach. The meeting went really well with lots of Q and A’s after. Grateful thanks also to Chief of Staff, Andrew Wright, and to FEL tutor Ana. Her caring and considerate approach worked extremely well with all five participants, building a level of trust and understanding of the traumas that they had been through.
Our hope for the future is that we will be able to roll out the program, possibly nationwide because what young people in recovery really need today is a purpose. A reason to get up in the morning, to have some kind of fluid structure and to realise that they have got valid contributions to make. All the participants excelled within the program and stayed the course. Here’s to the future.
Join Us in Newtown Wales
To mark the start of a new way forward for fashion in Newtown Wales we are joining forces with NPTC Group of Colleges to provide a range of courses and seminars.
Join us on 24th and 25th June for our free seminars to welcome every designer, start-up, entrepreneur and fashion to textile business. Come and meet us and learn from a host of guest speakers on how we can advise and support you.
Save the date 24th and 25th June in Newtown Powys! More details to follow.
Today’s Free Masterclass

Thanks to all that attended our free 1-hour masterclass on ‘How to Manufacture Your Garments – Part 1 Sampling & Small Run Production’ this morning. Presented by Claire Solley, the session via Zoom, gave need-to-know insight into starting production and all the contractual agreements and procedures a fashion business needs to be aware of. Attendees asked lots of questions and the session was complimented on being insightful, clear and very informative.

FEL provides these free 1-hour masterclasses once a month to support and encourage fashion brands, designers and businesses, next month the session will be on Crafting a Powerful Business Plan in the Fashion Industry and will take place Wednesday 26th June, 10 – 11am tap here to book your free place. A Zoom link will be emailed to you closer to the date.
FEL Re-Passes the Quality Licence Scheme

Fantastic news, Fashion-Enter Ltd’s educational division has passed its annual Quality Licence Scheme Audit. This confirms that our courses, CPPD’s and teaching team are on the right track in providing a quality educational offer for the fashion and textiles sector.
The report stated: Once again, FEL continue to demonstrate an excellent approach to quality and the systems, policies and processes that support course delivery. All of which are being very well maintained and continuously improved.
Claire Solley comments: “Having this benchmark of excellence for the Quality Licence Scheme supports how successful our HMPS stitching and cutting courses are. For over six years we have been providing these innovative short courses and the feedback from the HMPS employees is outstanding. Every year we create new content to ensure that we are providing the very latest in industrial knowledge for our courses.”

Caroline Ash adds: “The Factory Uncovered seminars for schools, colleges, industry and financial institutions are so well known and recognised and this Quality Licence Scheme supports how hard we try to ensure outstanding delivery to every group we teach. Congratulations to the teaching team on achieving this result.”
Pivoting the Business with Postcode Lottery Funding
Last week we mentioned how we have been busy pivoting and restructuring the business to incorporate repairs, reprocessing, alterations, upcycling and recycling and it is thanks to Postcode Lottery Funding that we have been able to do this. Jenny comments: “Pivoting a business is so right for this current time of ethics and sustainability, it is hard and challenging and without the Postcode Lottery Fund we would not be able to make this conversion.”
Here is a short YouTube video on what has happened so far.
Big Thanks
FEL would like to thank The Very Group for their support and latest order currently being produced at FEL’s HQ in Haringey.
Meet New Resident Christine Kendall

Just moved in to Studio 2 at the FC Designer Workspace is pattern cutter and founder of the label; The Vintage Fashioner, Christine Kendall. The FEL team and fellow Workspace residents warmly welcome her into our friendly, state-of-the-art hub. To find out more about Christine and her work please tap here.
Masterclasses and Courses

Stitching:
1st June – Saturday Stitching Club: Introduction to Sewing – FC Designer Workspace – £30
29th June – Saturday Stitching Club: Introduction to Sewing – FC Designer Workspace – £30
13th July – Saturday Stitching Club: Introduction to Sewing – FC Designer Workspace – £30
29th July – 1st Aug – 4-Day Beginners Stitching course – FC Designer Workspace – £100
Pattern Cutting:
29th July – 1st Aug – 4-Day Beginners Pattern Cutting course – FC Designer Workspace – £100
Repair and Upcycling:
11th June – Repair and Upcycling Drop In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
16th July – Repair and Upcycling Drop In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
Support and Advice:
26th June – Crafting a Powerful Business Plan in the Fashion Industry – Via Zoom – free
Style3D:
3rd – 5th July – 3-Day Style3D course for Beginners – FTA / Styleverse Innovation Centre Haringey – £199
Tap here for more dates and classes taking place throughout the summer.
Looking for a specific course? Contact us: 0208 809 3311
education@fashion-enter.com www.FCFTA.com
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And Finally…

Brilliant news, we’ve gone over 60k on instagram for our Fashion Technology Academy account! Find out more about what we do by visiting our socials, you can find various FEL departments; FashionCapital, FTA, FC Designer Workspace on TikTok, insta, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital