In today’s ‘Meet the Local’ we’d like to introduce Rachel Farey, the Business Manager and Buyer at One World Shop at St John’s Church in Edinburgh’s west end.
Rachel first discovered the shop in her early 20’s and joined up as a volunteer. It wasn’t long before they offered her a paid job for £40 a week! She was hooked by this extraordinary enterprise and has been there ever since. Read on to learn more about One World Shop and Rachel’s story.
What was the pivotal point in your life when you decided you really wanted to support Fair Trade.
As a child I absolutely loved our village shop and dreamed I would run a sweet shop when I grew up, I also wanted to look after all the orphans in the world who had nowhere to live!
When I first discovered the One World Shop in 1985, the concept of fair and unfair trade blew my mind. I was 23 and naïve enough to think that global poverty could be ended if nations and governments worked together to ensure there was enough food and resources to go round. Once I found out the scale of exploitation and sweatshops that existed in global trade it was hard to fathom why we as consumers were not outraged. I gradually realised that fair trade is one of many essential steps towards uplifting producers out of poverty, we still need High Street shops to question and change their purchasing policies. For me, fair trade is really about justice.
Tell us more about the different fair trade brands you work with and how you source them?
At the One World Shop, we work with a large number of suppliers and wholesalers of fair trade, ethical, and planet-friendly products. In 1994 I helped start BAFTS (the British Association of Fair Trade shops and Suppliers) and we now source most of our suppliers through them.
Divine Chocolate stood out for me as it was one of the very first companies that believed their cocoa farmers in Ghana should have an equal voice on their Board, a share of the profits, and that their AGMs should not just be held in the UK but alternately in Ghana and London. Traidcraft is another fair trade pioneer, they worked closely with NGOs and co-operatives in poor communities in the south to bring their hand crafted products to the market. Today we buy from a number of companies who put both fair trade values and excellent design first. Earth Squared for example is a company based in East Lothian who design and supply stylish bags and accessories from their own factories in Vietnam. Paper High is another company we work with, they sell stunning handmade paper products and leather goods from Nepal. The companies we import from range from a women’s collective making candles in South Africa, a jute bag social enterprise in Bangladesh and a handmade paper company in Nepal, all have changed the lives immeasurably of the people who work there.
You must have some fascinating stories from your experiences in sourcing suppliers – please share any highlights.
I have had many interesting experiences when travelling to visit our producers abroad. Among others I’ve met basket makers in rural Thailand, handmade paper-makers in Nepal, handloom cotton weavers in India and jute bag producers in northern Bangladesh, all skilled artisans that are keeping traditional handicrafts alive.
My first trip to India was in 1986. I visited a number of rural villages in Bengal where women’s collectives were making Nakshi Kanthi items, traditional Bengali embroidery where they recycle old saris into stunning new products. They were welcoming and kind, I remember a woman handed me her baby to cuddle but it was terrified as it had never seen a white woman before! When I came back I set up an Exhibition of their Nakshi Kantha work in the Assembly Rooms. Edinburgh was a huge contrast from the isolated village settings of this work but it was very popular and we quickly sold out.
I am always impressed with the involvement fair trade companies have in their local communities, setting up creches, schools, health clinics and computer workshops for example, often in the poorest of places with few resources.
For those less in the know, there can be a perception that fair trade goods are ‘old-fashioned’ and not on trend – how do you overcome such a common misconception?
I’m very enthusiastic about our products and tell people to look at the exceptional design quality, particularly those made with recycled materials such as our ingenious bike-chain bookends or bicycle pizza-cutters, the craftmanship is brilliant! More and more young designers are working in fair trade companies and bringing their skills to the market, companies like Daughters of the Ganges from India and Earth Squared’s accessory range, made in Vietnam.
Some of our most popular products are the funky bamboo socks, comfortable slippers and these stylish bags.
What have been the main challenges you’ve faced during Covid and how have you overcome them?
The main challenge was the sudden closure of our shop for both lockdowns. Our vibrant, colourful interior with thousands of products from across the world is very difficult to re-create online, as is the sense of community and the friendly greeting when you come in. We had to learn quickly how to attract customers to our website and how to instil the same atmosphere and re-assurance that buying from us online would be alright.
What are the top tips you’d give to anyone who wants to shop more ethically?
- Whenever you buy something manufactured, take a moment to think who made this? Can I be sure it’s not been made in a sweatshop?
- Similarly, when you buy tea or coffee, ask yourself who picked these tea leaves or coffee beans? Are they being treated unfairly?
- Consider the end life of the product, can you recycle it or compost it?
- Choose the alternative, choose a fair trade, sustainable, plastic-free, recycled or upcycled product.
Where is your own Hidden Edinburgh and why?
It’s got to be the walk from Cramond village along the River Almond to the beautiful old Cramond Brig. You are not far from the city but it feels as if you’re in the heart of the countryside and can breathe that refreshing clean air.
What is your top tip for a first-time visitor to the city? (When people can travel again, of course!!)
There is so much to see and do in this beautiful city. Once you’ve checked out the great views from the Castle Esplanade or from Arthurs Seat, I’d suggest you explore the cobbled streets of Stockbridge and enjoy the small shops, cafes and amazing Farmers Market which takes place there every Sunday.
Shop with us!
The shop at St John’s church may be closed but you can still buy your favourite Fair Trade goods at our online shop.
