Shuttle Knit is undergoing a period of transition, exploring new models and directions to ensure long-term sustainability in a changing retail, fashion and heritage craft landscape. This moment of change brings both challenge and opportunity, and we are seeking board members who can help shape a resilient and inclusive future grounded in our mission.

CLICK TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR MISSION, AMBITION AND VALUES

SUPPORT OUR WORK

At Shuttleknit, every purchase and partnership helps us do more than make beautiful knitwear and homeware. It helps us build a future where Traveller women and young girls have the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in business and design. Here are some of the ways you can support our work:

Shop Local – Trading for Impact

When you shop with Shuttleknit, you are supporting more than a product — you’re supporting people. Every scarf, cushion, or pair of gloves is crafted in Wicklow by Traveller women, blending heritage with contemporary design. Your purchase provides income, independence, and visibility for our makers, while helping us keep craft skills and culture alive.

Buy a Gift Voucher

Give the gift of creativity. With a Shuttleknit voucher, your recipient can choose from a number of services/items including:

  • Customising their own homeware, scarf, or gloves with a unique colour combination.

  • Choosing one of our storytelling cushions and add a personal embroidered quote to the design.

  • Or simply, buying from our existing collection. Sometimes the simplest way to support our work is to treat yourself or someone special to something from our range. From scarves and gloves to our storytelling cushions, every piece is carefully crafted by Traveller women in Wicklow. Each purchase sustains livelihoods, supports skills, and helps keep Traveller heritage alive.

Support T(inc.) our Creative Entrepreneurship Training Programme 

Another way to support our work is through our Mind Your Nook and Maggie special edition cushions. These special designs are directly linked to T(inc.), our new creative entrepreneurship programme that develops the business and professional skills of Traveller women and girls.

When you buy one of these cushions, your purchase goes straight into funding training, mentorship, and opportunities for the next generation of Traveller makers and entrepreneurs.

Volunteer as a Market Buddy

Many of our makers feel uncomfortable selling face-to-face at markets. We’re looking for warm, engaging volunteers to join us as Market Buddies — people who love meeting customers, sharing our story, and helping sell our products. You’ll be an advocate for Shuttleknit, supporting Traveller women while enjoying the buzz of Ireland’s best Christmas markets.

Join Our Board

We are currently seeking new board members to help guide Shuttleknit through its next phase of growth. If you have expertise in business, design, social enterprise, or community development — and share our passion for heritage and inclusion — we’d love to hear from you. Read Below to find out more about BOARD OPPORTUNITIES

Hire Us

Our team has full embroidery and knitwear machinery ready to deliver creative solutions for your business, school, or community. From customised corporate gifts and embroidered uniforms to Christmas party elf hats, we can take on contracts large and small. By hiring us, you combine professional quality with social impact.

Join Our Impact Circle

For philanthropists, funders, and socially minded investors, our Impact Circle offers a chance to directly support Shuttleknit’s growth. You can:

  • Sponsor our yarn for a year.

  • Fund a part-time Sales & Marketing Manager to drive visibility and sales.

  • Back our creative training pipeline for Traveller women and girls.

Your investment fuels long-term change and helps us build Ireland’s first Traveller-led heritage brand.

✨ Every stitch tells a story. Every contribution makes a difference. ✨

OUR BOARD / VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Shuttle Knit board members provide strategic oversight of the organisation's strategy, finances, governance and compliance with the organisation’s mission, and actively work on supporting the organisation. Directors bring their expertise to supportand challenge the executive team with sensitivity to the cultural heritage and identities of the Traveller community. As a CLG we operate within the spirit of the Charities Governance Code and all board positions are voluntary.This role seeks proven experience in governance within the non-profit or social enterprise sector.

OPEN VOLUNTEER ROLES & BOARD POSITIONS

About Shuttle Knit:

Shuttle Knit is a social enterprise based in Wicklow town, that crafts high-quality, handmade knitwear and is supported by public funding and generated income and a partnership between the Traveller and settled communities. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Traveller Women and their families through social enterprise having particular regard to the employment needs of the Traveller Community and long term unemployed in County Wicklow[1] .  We were then, and remain now, dedicated to “Knitting Communities Together”. Learn more at https://shuttleknit.ie/pages/our-story.

Board Membership/Meetings:

Board members are expected to attend meetings at CEART, Wicklow Town or, if necessary, via Zoom.  Currently, meetings take place every second Tuesday of the month (early evening) with seasonal breaks. Timing can be arranged to suit members.  The role requires 2 - 8 hours per month and directors are expected to; dedicate time to preparatory reading, participate in strategic planning sessions and sub-committees as required.  The anticipated term is 3 years (renewable).  We particularly welcome those with lived experience relevant to our mission.

Prospective board members will be invited to actively participate in board meetings on an interim basis, allowing time to ensure a mutual fit ahead of formal election at an AGM or EGM.

OUR CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS:

  • Suzie Cahn

    Chairperson

  • Sheila Cannon

    Governance Committe, Past Chair

  • Helen Duffy

    Finance Committee

  • Jane E Morgan

    Governance

  • Kathleen O'Connor

  • Patti Schnably Shields

    Finance