This year marks a major milestone for Moray Reach Out (MRO) Embroidery as we celebrate our 10th anniversary of helping adults with learning disabilities gain a real sense of purpose and pride. Since our humble beginnings, MRO Embroidery has grown into a vibrant project providing meaningful day service, training, and skills development opportunities. Our journey is one of dedication, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to creating a positive impact.
As we reflect on the past decade, let’s take a walk down memory lane and highlight some key moments that have shaped MRO Embroidery into what it is today.
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Moray Reach Out is Born – 1st December 1996
Our story begins much earlier than our official 10th anniversary, with the formation of a dedicated group of parents and carers who shared a common goal: to increase opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. This passion led to the creation of Moray Reach Out, and the opening of our first social enterprise, Buckie Yarns, a wool and haberdashery shop in Buckie, Moray. This shop not only offered high-quality products but also provided valuable retail work experience for trainees.
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A New Wool Shop Opens in Elgin – 14th December 1999
Building on the success of Buckie Yarns, MRO expanded its operations to Elgin by opening a second wool and haberdashery shop at 6 Commerce Street. Named Start II and then Start to Knit, this shop provided further retail training opportunities. Under the coordination of Shirley Nicoll, the Elgin shop became a community hub for creativity and skill-building, offering trainees hands-on experience in a supportive setting.
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Moray Reach Out is Incorporated – 23rd January 2001
MRO officially became an incorporated charity, formalising our mission and structure. This was an important step that helped pave the way for future growth, securing our role as a sustainable social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with learning disabilities.
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A New Chapter Begins: Shona Radojkovic Joins MRO – March 2014
In March 2014, we welcomed Shona Radojkovic as our General and Business Development Manager. Shona’s leadership and vision have played a crucial role in the continued growth of MRO, driving new initiatives and helping us expand our reach within the community.
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Wool Shop in Elgin Becomes In Stitches – 1st November 2014
In November 2014, MRO took a significant leap forward when Start to Knit was rebranded as In Stitches. Thanks to funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and other supporters, we were able to purchase an embroidery machine, expanding our services to offer personalised embroidery for gifts, workwear, and corporate wear. This marked a new chapter for MRO, as we ventured into new areas of creativity and business, helping our trainees gain diverse skills.
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In Stitches Becomes MRO Embroidery and Fine Gifts – April 2017
Continuing our tradition of innovation and growth, In Stitches was rebranded once again, becoming MRO Embroidery and Fine Gifts in 2016. This shift not only reflected our expanding offerings but also reinforced our commitment to quality and professionalism in the services we provide.
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Leadership Changes and Honouring Shirley’s Legacy – 2022
In 2022, we bid a fond farewell to Shirley Nicoll, who retired after 15 years of dedicated service. Under her guidance, MRO Embroidery flourished into the thriving enterprise it is today. We were pleased to welcome Anna Bebas as the new MRO Embroidery team lead, ensuring that Shirley’s legacy of excellence and care continues to live on.
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A Special Celebration: 17th October 2024
To commemorate this special milestone, we celebrated in style on 17th October 2024, surrounded by friends, partners, and supporters who have been part of our journey. The celebration was made even sweeter with a delicious cake from Nic’s Wee Cakery. Our wonderful team, including Karen, Ania, Lisa, Katie, Megan and Mo joined us to mark the occasion.
We were also honoured to have special guests, including Angela Norrie, the BID Manager, Keenan from The Copy Shop, Willie Duncan, Street Ambassador for Elgin BID, and Nicky from Miele’s Gelateria, who has been a loyal customer since the very beginning. Yvonne and Kathleen, two of our dedicated trainees, were also there to celebrate this memorable day with us.
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Looking Forward to the Next Chapter
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are immensely proud of what we have achieved. Over the years, MRO Embroidery has provided countless opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to develop skills, gain confidence, and reach their potential. We owe much of our success to the incredible support from our community, staff, volunteers, and, most importantly, our trainees.
Looking ahead, MRO as a whole is committed to expanding our projects, creating more opportunities for those who face barriers in accessing work, and continuing our journey of empowerment, inclusion, and growth.
Here’s to the next 10 years!
