The latest venture between two social enterprises, Acorn Shop and Storybox NI introduces a ‘Candle with Cause called Lough Neagh Dawn, handcrafted in Newry by young adults with additional needs. It features a fresh blend of white musk and amber, accented with floral notes of lavender, jasmine, and amber. However, this candle represents more than just a product. Bolster Community empowers their candle makers, fostering a sense of connection, value, and purpose within a supportive group environment.
A portion of each candle sale will be donated to PIPS and Crisis Café, two vital mental health charities based here in N. Ireland (Acorn/Bolster Community donating to Crisis Café in Newry and Storybox donating to PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland in Belfast.
Storybox, an online business situated in East Belfast’s renowned Portview Trade Centre, passionately champions local businesses and social enterprises. Through thoughtfully curated boxes filled with sustainable, high-quality products, they connect customers with over 25 partnering businesses, making a substantial impact on communities.
Expressing her excitement, Jacinta Linden, CEO at Bolster Community, stated, “We are honoured to collaborate with Storybox NI to create a unique product that gives back twofold! Our candle-making adults with mixed abilities are involved in its creation, and a portion of the sales will be donated to Crisis Café, a Newry-based mental health charity. Mental health is a pressing issue for society, and our staff, while working with local families and individuals, we have witnessed an increasing number of cases.”
In addition to raising funds, the creation of this candle aims to encourage open conversations about mental health and well-being, working to eliminate stigma.
To showcase the candle’s essence, local artist Amira McDonagh was commissioned to handpaint the tin with a breath-taking design. Spanning the landscapes of Northern Ireland, the artwork features prominent landmarks like Cuilcagh, the Mourne Mountains, the Black Arch, and the iconic Lough Neagh. The inclusion of a sunrise symbolises hope for a new day and, with this candle initiative, spreads light and hope, bit by bit, to those who need it most.
To learn more about this exciting initiative and receive notification of when the candle becomes available for purchase, sign up to their newsletter here. For any further enquiries, please reach out to Joanne at acorn@bolstercommunity.org.
Lough Neagh Dawn Candles go on sale here on Tuesday 27th June 2023 at 9am.