Founded in 2009, Petit Miracles is a social enterprise and registered charity, providing opportunities for long-term unemployed and aspiring entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds. We operate a training facility and retail shop in previously unused space in community shopping centre
Petit Miracles is located in Shepard’s Bush, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF). LBHF.gov.uk says “The borough is deeply polarised, with pockets of wealth next to pockets of multiple deprivations. 26% of the population live in the most deprived quintile areas nationally.” The LSOA of Petit Miracles is in the top 10% on the Index of Multiple Deprivation, (Census 2011).
Both homelessness and long-term joblessness are significant problems in this area and heavily intertwined. Women and members of minority groups suffer disproportionately. Petit Miracles focuses on these two groups through outreach and partnership with local job centres, shelters and the local authority. Our work invests time and money into creating and developing enterprise opportunity within the community.
Petit Miracles runs two programmes: “Interiors” provides work and life skills training to local vulnerable adults through the provision of traditional craft, basic DIY, upcycling, and upholstery training. “The Hub” provides pop-up space for new and small, vulnerable, minority and female businesses to trial their product in a retail setting, along with workshops, mentorship and staff support. Both programmes occupy otherwise empty space in an area of high deprivation, creating social value for the whole community.