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What has your involvement with the Nest Community been like? What kind of work do you do?
I founded The Nest Community in 2014 so have been working within the organisation as a volunteer from the very beginning. By 2019, when we were still in Everton Park we had reached a turning point where we desperately needed a more sustainable funding model. I was able to come onboard as CEO and established our social enterprise, The Nest Haberdashery. We’re a small organisation so my work can include everything from strategic planning and partnerships, graphic design and branding, retail operations and more. I also stay closely connected with our team, volunteers, and customers—because at the heart of The Nest, it’s all about people, creativity, and community.
How is the Nest structured and run, and why?
The Nest Community is a registered charity, and The Nest Haberdashery is its social enterprise arm. The haberdashery provides a sustainable revenue stream that helps fund our programs like Learn 2; our low-cost craft classes, Exchange Project; a free mentoring program and our Heritage Collection that preserves sewing memorabilia.
For so many years we were told that the idea of The Nest was ‘too out of the box’ and we didn’t fit the criteria for so many grants. We chose the structure out of necessity, so that we could be financially independent. When we had to relocate to commercial premises in 2023, we were able to do that with our own financial resources and limited assistance from grants.
How did the Nest get started?
In 2012 I was running my own creative practice Artisan Leather Goods but ran Craft Nest Project – classes teaching girls handmaking skills. I noticed how girls grew in confidence and resilience when they shared skills and made things together.
At the time the word ‘sustainability’ was emerging and people were looking for ways to reconnect with making by hand. The Nest was born from a desire to create a space where women could connect, create, and grow together. I saw a gap—so many women were looking for community, skill-building, and creative outlets, but there weren’t enough spaces that nurtured these things in a meaningful way.
In the early days we ran workshops on all sorts of things from gardening to hand dyeing. But the focus started to move to just textile resources. I had been working part time at Spotlight and saw how expensive craft materials were and that this was a barrier to entry for many people to even try making.
People kept donating materials to us for our workshops and we had already started selling it in an ad hoc way from our verandah. Our volunteers, who are all skilled craftswomen, knew the value of the materials – this is where my idea for the haberdashery emerged.
This is the real magic behind what we do. The women sorting the resources truly value them. They know how much they’re worth and are inspired by what you can make out of them. We ‘process’ donations but that sounds very commercial. We prefer to say lovingly reclaim. People come to The Haberdashery and think everything we sell is new. It’s not. It arrives all jumbled together in garbage bags or boxes. Sometimes there are ribbons or yarns that are all tangled and certain volunteers take it home, maybe wash it or spend hours detangling it. It’s a labour of love.
That’s why our vision is to create a resilient community where people and resources are equally valued. We value the skill and knowledge of our volunteers just as much as they value the resources.
We are really proud of how far our volunteer program has come. It’s a sector that is heading towards certification and Volunteering Queensland are already referring to us as a model volunteer organisation.
Were you or others doing anything similar before the Nest?
There’s nothing quite like The Nest. Before founding The Nest, I was always involved in community work and creative industries in different ways. I had seen firsthand how empowering it was for women to come together, share skills, and support each other. Many of the people who volunteered at The Nest had also been working in spaces related to craft, and upcycling so it was a natural evolution to build something that combined all of these passions. But what’s so interesting is the diversity of experience our volunteers bring. We have women who have retired and over a cup of tea mention that they used to be CEOs of major hospitals – Directors of Nursing. Or like our current Board secretary – Kay Hallt who had run her own Management Consultancy. She was recruited as a volunteer by two other Nest volunteers while camping in St George! They connected over her crochet!
Never underestimate women who craft!
What is your favourite part of working at the Nest?
I absolutely love seeing the transformation that happens when people find belonging and purpose here. Whether it’s a woman discovering a new skill, an old fabric finding new life in someone’s creative project, or someone walking through our doors and immediately feeling at home—it’s these moments that make everything worthwhile. The Nest Haberdashery, in particular, is such a joyful space. It’s more than just a shop—it’s a hub where people connect, learn, and create together, all while contributing to a more sustainable future.
How can our readers uplift those around them like you and the Nest do? What are little choices our readers can make to better their communities?
Start small. Support social enterprises—when you shop at places like The Nest Haberdashery, you’re directly funding positive change. Reduce waste by choosing second-hand, upcycled, or repurposed materials. And most importantly, share your skills and time—teaching someone how to mend, sew, or create not only empowers them but also strengthens community ties. Community is built in everyday moments—checking in on someone, offering support, or creating spaces where people feel welcome.
Do you have any parting words or anything you would like to share or promote?
If you haven’t visited The Nest Haberdashery yet, I’d love for you to come and see it for yourself! Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just starting out, there’s something special about breathing new life into pre-loved materials while supporting a greater cause. And if you have fabric or sewing supplies you no longer need, consider donating them—they’ll go on to inspire someone else’s creativity.
Written by Jester Roach
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