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Programmes

Hands-on. Real-world. Built for you.

Threads for Change is a social enterprise helping young people aged 16 to 24 build confidence, gain recognised qualifications and develop practical skills that lead to employment, apprenticeships or self - employment. Learn by doing, build confidence, create opportunities.

Who is this for?

We especially welcome young people aged 16–24 who need extra support moving into employment. No experience needed — just a willingness to show up and learn.

Aged 16–24No experience neededManchester-basedFree to join
Apprenticeships6–12 weeks

Learn by doing. Earn while you grow.

Apprentices work alongside mentors in a real working environment. You'll gain practical skills, build your CV, and leave with experience that employers actually value. No experience needed — just show up ready to learn.

Apprentice working with a mentor

6–12 weeks programme

Paid. Mentored. Real.

01

Sustainable Fashion & Vintage Streetwear

Learn to source, grade, price, and sell vintage clothing — from Carhartt workwear to Stone Island, Nike archive pieces to Stussy. Understand what makes a piece valuable and how to move it.

02

Content Creation & Social Media Marketing

Create content that connects. Learn to shoot, edit, and post for Instagram, TikTok, and Depop. Build an audience and a brand — skills every employer in fashion needs right now.

03

Customer Service & Team Skills

Build the communication and teamwork skills every employer looks for — practised in a real retail and community setting.

Workshops

Short, sharp, and seriously useful.

Our workshops are standalone sessions you can join at any time. Each one is practical, beginner-friendly, and designed to give you a real skill you can use straight away.

Workshop in progress
01

Intro to Vintage & Streetwear

What makes a piece valuable? Carhartt, Stone Island, Supreme, Nike, Stussy — learn to spot quality, understand eras, and build your eye for what sells.

02

Clothes Care & Preparation

How to clean, repair, and prepare garments for resale or personal use. Practical and hands-on.

03

Basic Sewing & Repairs

Fix a hem, replace a button, take in a seam. Simple repairs that extend the life of any garment.

04

Smartphone Product Photography

Shoot great product photos with just your phone. Lighting, backgrounds, angles — everything you need to sell online.

05

Selling on Vinted & Depop

Set up your profile, write listings that sell, price competitively, and build a following on the platforms that matter.

06

Canva for Beginners

Design social posts, flyers, and brand assets without any design experience. Fast, free, and genuinely useful.

07

Capped-Up Video Editing

Edit short-form video on your phone. Captions, cuts, transitions — everything you need for Reels and TikTok.

08

Social Media Basics

Understand the platforms, build a consistent presence, and start growing an audience from scratch.

09

Customer Service Essentials

How to communicate confidently with customers — in person, online, and when things go wrong.

10

Sewing & Stitching

From basic hand stitching to machine sewing — learn the foundational techniques that underpin everything in fashion.

11

Sewing Machine Classes

Get hands-on with an industrial sewing machine. Learn to thread, tension, and stitch — from straight seams to more advanced techniques, guided step by step.

12

Screen Printing

Design and print your own graphics onto garments. A hands-on introduction to one of fashion's most expressive techniques.

13

Upcycling

Transform old or unwanted clothing into something new. Cut, rework, and reimagine — giving garments a second life.

14

Sourcing

Learn where to find quality second-hand and vintage pieces — charity shops, car boots, online platforms, and wholesale. Know what to look for and how to buy smart.

15

Customisation

Patches, embroidery, distressing, dyeing — learn how to make a piece your own and add value through creative customisation.

16

Sustainable Practices

Understand the real impact of fast fashion and learn practical ways to work more sustainably — from fabric choices and care to repair, resale, and responsible sourcing.

17

Pop-up Stalls

Plan, set up, and run your own pop-up stall. Learn how to display stock, price for profit, handle transactions, and talk to customers — real retail experience from day one.

18

People Skills

Build confidence in how you communicate, listen, and connect with others — skills that matter in every job and every room.

19

Team Building

Work together, support each other, and get things done. Practical activities that build trust, communication, and collaboration.

Qualifications

What you can achieve with us.

Every course we offer is linked to a recognised qualification or certification. Here's what you can work towards — all free, all real, all yours to keep.

Functional Skills

  • Functional Skills English — Entry Level 1 & 2
  • Functional Skills Maths — Entry Level 1 & 2

Apprenticeships

  • Customer Service Practitioner — Level 2 Apprenticeship
  • Retailer — Level 2 Apprenticeship
  • Multi-Channel Marketer — Level 3 Apprenticeship
  • Team Leader / Supervisor — Level 3 (for learners progressing into leadership)
  • Business Administration — Level 3 (for those interested in operations)
  • Content Creator — Level 3 Apprenticeship

Employability & Workplace Skills

  • Employability Skills
  • Communication & Teamwork
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Safeguarding Awareness
  • Health & Safety in the Workplace
  • Manual Handling
  • Emergency First Aid at Work
  • Fire Safety Awareness
  • Mental Health Awareness

Creative & Digital Design

  • Level 3 Creative Digital Design Apprenticeship
  • Adobe Certified Professional — Photoshop
  • Adobe Certified Professional — Illustrator
  • Adobe Certified Professional — Premiere Pro
  • Canva Design Essentials Certification
  • Photography for Digital Content
  • Video Production & Editing
  • Mobile Content Creation for Social Media
  • Podcast & Audio Production

Digital Marketing

  • Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship
  • Level 2 Digital Marketing Qualification
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
  • Digital Advertising — Meta & Google Ads
  • Google Analytics (GA4)
  • Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Certification
  • Meta Blueprint Certification

Presenting, Communication & Personal Development

  • Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
  • Communication Skills for Business
  • Customer Engagement & Influence Skills
  • Sales Presentation Techniques
  • Confidence Building & Personal Development
  • Professional Networking Skills
Together we're building confidence and making sustainable fashion accessible.

Our mission is to reduce textile waste and create opportunities for young people. Every programme, every workshop, every apprenticeship is a step toward that.

Ready to get started?

Applications are open. Whether you want to join an apprenticeship or drop into a workshop — we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now