Seeing people flourish with a new employer is what energizes us. We regularly contact former participants to ask how they're doing, what their work has brought them, and how they look back on their time at i-did.

This time the story of former i-did'er Kaddy who enjoys working at HEMA.

Name: Kaddy
Age: 43 years
Currently working at: HEMA. Since 2019.

What kind of work do you do there?

I work in the fashion department at HEMA, specifically in the children's department. I do various tasks there, such as manning the cash register, keeping track of inventory, and providing advice.

Of all things, I enjoy the direct contact with customers the most. So far, it's been so good that Hema has given me a permanent contract. I'm very proud of that!

At i-did, you receive immediate help in organizing your life, learning to become independent and making a plan for future work.

How do you look back on your time at i-did?

I had no work experience before joining i-did. When I started, I learned a lot of different tasks in the workshop, such as sewing and stitching materials.

At i-did, you also receive immediate help with organizing your life, learning to become independent and making a plan for future work. I found it a really good time to get used to working.

What are you grateful for?

"I-did helped me find a suitable job. Now I have a job that suits me perfectly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to find something suitable."

In my circle, I recommend some people – who have never worked before – to first gain a few months of work experience at i-did. Then they can move on to other enjoyable work.

i-did turns textiles into social impact

Every year, over 200,000 tons of textiles are discarded in the Netherlands, including large quantities of workwear. At the same time, more than 400,000 people are on welfare, including refugees and those for whom access to employment is not a given. They have few opportunities to discover and utilize their talents.

At i-did, we connect these two challenges: old textiles are given a second life and processed into products that truly matter. Products made by people who, at i-did, have the opportunity to gain experience and contribute meaningfully to society.

More and more companies are choosing i-did products, increasing our social impact and reach every year. On this page , we share insights, figures, and examples of how clothing reuse and social impact converge .