From Volunteers to Entrepreneurs
Two women who volunteer with a Dundee charity have gone on to launch their own businesses after building confidence and skills through their experience.
Nataliia Sakhnovska and Nadia Lavrinovica both volunteer with Signpost International in Whitfield, which transforms surplus donated food into community meals which are distributed to those in need through foodbanks and larders. The charity also delivers free family sessions during school holidays.
Through their time with the charity, both women developed the confidence to turn personal interests into business ventures. Keen to give back, they recently led free Easter family workshops inspired by their new businesses.
Nataliia has volunteered with Signpost International for two years, helping prepare community meals while balancing family life and studying patisserie at Dundee and Angus College. As her confidence grew, she began leading marshmallow-making workshops during seasonal holidays, teaching children how to pipe colourful designs such as bunnies, flowers and snowmen or create their own.
Building on this experience, she launched her business, Vanilla Sky Sweets, a month ago, offering handmade marshmallows alongside fresh-to-order cakes, pastries and cupcakes.
Nataliia said, “The first master class really inspired me, I became more confident! I really like making marshmallows with the children! The children are happy, they have fun doing it, and this mood is transmitted to me. I still walk around happy a week after the event. In the future, I plan to hold master classes on a regular basis. I am grateful for the support of Steph and Louise for helping me”.
Meanwhile, Nadia, who has attended family sessions at Signpost International for two years with her three children, also built her confidence through regular involvement in the charity’s activities. What began as a hobby making soap developed into a small business, Bubblish, producing handmade soaps and wax melts.
She recently returned to deliver a soap-making workshop for families, where participants created their own products by melting, colouring and moulding soap into shapes such as teddy bears, flowers and cars.
Nadia added, “I really liked the kids’ reaction when they got the soaps out. I started making soaps last summer and did my first wax melts in November. I really like the process; it’s also kind of mental health therapy for myself. I have three kids and no family members who can take the kids for at least a few hours. When I’m making soap or wax melts, this is my relaxing time, when I’m an artist. My kids tried making soap themselves and liked it. They often ask to make soap again, each time making something different. So I decided to offer this activity to the charity because the process is easy, really fun, and it’s an unusual activity for kids.”
Steph Dolan, Education and Community Worker at Signpost International, added, “We simply couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers. People give their time to us for all sorts of reasons, but it’s always fantastic to see them grow in confidence and develop new skills along the way. So to hear that two have gone on to set up their own businesses is just brilliant and seeing them now give back by sharing their talents and expertise with local families is an added bonus. With summer fast approaching, we’re busy planning a packed programme of activities for the community to enjoy over the holidays, and we look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks.”
While rooted in Dundee, Signpost International also supports communities around the world. Through global partnerships, the charity empowers people to tackle poverty and injustice, helping to build thriving, resilient communities. Its work focuses on four key themes: food security, sustainable livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene, and global citizenship, impacting 30,000 to 35,000 people annually.
For more information, visit: https://www.signpost-international.org/
ENDS