Our charity structure.

• Maria started the project in March 2016 as the outcome of an assignment for a theology course about cultural transformation. She started the project as a practical expression of her Christian faith. Maria is a wife to Richard and mother to Katie and Alys. She worked in the fashion industry before teaching fashion and clothing at the local technical college. She now works as a self-employed dressmaker and textile product developer. Maria worships at St. Mary’s church, Cogges, Witney.

“I was first given a prophetic word about being Dorcas in my early teens, it was repeated whilst I was studying at college and then again more recently during a season just before I left my teaching job. The word influenced what I studying and how I worked in the textile trade. I taught students how to consider injustices in the industry and the ethical choices they could make as designers. I took voluntary redundancy in 2010, prompted by this word, to think more deeply about my purpose. I completed a theology course, during which time I was asked to explore an assignment on cultural transformation. It was out of this assignment that this project was born. Father God uses all things for good, those years of experience in the textile trade and teaching are feeding into the skills we need as a charity.”

• Nana is a Physician Associate currently working at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. “I serve as the welcome leader at Oxford Community Church, which is where I heard about The Dorcas Dress Project, through another trustee. I have been privileged to run a half marathon to raise money for one of our projects. I have also had the opportunity to model some of our hand-made clothes to showcase the incredible work done by our partners. I look forward to humbly serving the charity in the years to come.”

• Kojo is a software engineer working in finance in central London, after graduating from Southampton University in 2020. “I heard about the amazing work of The Dorcas Dress Project from my sister and it’s a great privilege to have some way to get involved. I’m a lifelong Methodist and am currently a member of Hanworth and Putney churches.”

• Helen has a Masters degree in Textile Culture, then went on into a career in sculpture and has been in Heritage Learning and Outreach for the past 5 years. Having both run her own business and been a self-employed freelance artist, she currently works as Head of Learning & Engagement at the Royal West of England Academy of Art (RWA) in Bristol.  She loves partnership working, collaboration and co-creation. She has an unwavering commitment to tackling inequality through education and inclusion, leading to self-determination and agency.  Helen is currently not a church-member but heard about the Dorcas Dress Project back when it was just a seed of an idea when she was attending Oxford Community Church in 2012. She loves sewing and dressmaking, and still uses the Bernina that her whole family clubbed together to buy for her 18th birthday.