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Changing Lives Through Textile Recycling: Afi Dometi on Africawad
In this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy speaks with Afi Dometi, founder of Africawad Recycling CIC, a social enterprise turning unwanted clothing into employment, opportunity, and empowerment for women in the UK and overseas.
Afi shares how her own experiences of isolation and adapting to life in the UK inspired her to create Africawad. What started in her living room has grown into an international operation using textile recycling to support employment, confidence, mental wellbeing, and economic independence.
The conversation explores the realities of building a purpose-led organisation, from scaling operations and accessing social finance to overcoming setbacks and staying focused on impact. Afi also introduces the idea of “social profit” — measuring success not just through money, but through lives changed and futures created.
Kate reflects on the power of social enterprise as a vehicle for transformational change, and how Africawad balances environmental impact with meaningful community support.
Key Takeaways
Purpose-driven businesses can create impact far beyond their original mission.
Social enterprise can support environmental, social, and economic change simultaneously.
Determination, courage, and adaptability are essential when building something meaningful.
Creating opportunities for connection and confidence can transform lives.
Recycling can become a powerful vehicle for employment and empowerment.
Social profit can be measured through lives changed, not just money earned.
Community support, collaboration, and asking for help are vital for growth.
Financial sustainability and social mission can successfully coexist.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Afi’s Mission
01:16 A Calling to Help Others
04:36 The Birth of Africawad Recycling CIC
06:32 Supporting Women Through Opportunity and Connection
08:40 Lessons in Determination and Leadership
11:01 Growing from a Living Room to an International Operation
13:14 Creating Global Impact Through Recycling
15:03 Challenges, Resilience and Social Finance
15:52 How to Support Africawad
16:55 Reflections on Social Profit and Purpose-Led Business
Useful Links
Connect with Afi on LinkedIn
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/afi-dometi-39319134
Visit the Africawad Website:
https://www.africawad.org/
Donate Clothes to Africawad Here:
203 High St, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE28 7RS
Check Out Our Level 2 in Starting & Developing a Social Enterprise Qualification
https://junctionpoint.co.uk/level-2-starting-a-social-enterprise-qualification/
Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC
● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/
● LinkedIn: / kateduffyuk
● Facebook: / junctionpointuk
● Instagram: / junctionpointcic
Come and join our free 'North East Changemakers Community' on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YA7oQVvd3/
View all episodes
By Kate Duffy of Junction Point CICIn this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy speaks with Afi Dometi, founder of Africawad Recycling CIC, a social enterprise turning unwanted clothing into employment, opportunity, and empowerment for women in the UK and overseas.
Afi shares how her own experiences of isolation and adapting to life in the UK inspired her to create Africawad. What started in her living room has grown into an international operation using textile recycling to support employment, confidence, mental wellbeing, and economic independence.
The conversation explores the realities of building a purpose-led organisation, from scaling operations and accessing social finance to overcoming setbacks and staying focused on impact. Afi also introduces the idea of “social profit” — measuring success not just through money, but through lives changed and futures created.
Kate reflects on the power of social enterprise as a vehicle for transformational change, and how Africawad balances environmental impact with meaningful community support.
Key Takeaways
Purpose-driven businesses can create impact far beyond their original mission.
Social enterprise can support environmental, social, and economic change simultaneously.
Determination, courage, and adaptability are essential when building something meaningful.
Creating opportunities for connection and confidence can transform lives.
Recycling can become a powerful vehicle for employment and empowerment.
Social profit can be measured through lives changed, not just money earned.
Community support, collaboration, and asking for help are vital for growth.
Financial sustainability and social mission can successfully coexist.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Afi’s Mission
01:16 A Calling to Help Others
04:36 The Birth of Africawad Recycling CIC
06:32 Supporting Women Through Opportunity and Connection
08:40 Lessons in Determination and Leadership
11:01 Growing from a Living Room to an International Operation
13:14 Creating Global Impact Through Recycling
15:03 Challenges, Resilience and Social Finance
15:52 How to Support Africawad
16:55 Reflections on Social Profit and Purpose-Led Business
Useful Links
Connect with Afi on LinkedIn
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/afi-dometi-39319134
Visit the Africawad Website:
https://www.africawad.org/
Donate Clothes to Africawad Here:
203 High St, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE28 7RS
Check Out Our Level 2 in Starting & Developing a Social Enterprise Qualification
https://junctionpoint.co.uk/level-2-starting-a-social-enterprise-qualification/
Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC
● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/
● LinkedIn: / kateduffyuk
● Facebook: / junctionpointuk
● Instagram: / junctionpointcic
Come and join our free 'North East Changemakers Community' on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YA7oQVvd3/