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 Jolien at Defense.

On the left Jolien in her time at i-did, on the right in her new role at Defence

Name: Jolien
Age: 58 years
Works at: Defense, since 2018

What kind of work do you do there?

I'm a dressmaker specializing in repairs . That is , I repair clothing to make it fit military personnel. Not everyone fits into standard sizes, so sometimes the sleeves need to be a bit longer or the trouser legs a bit shorter.

I also add ranks and positions to the jackets, among other things. It's very varied work; I learn something new about tailoring every day. That's very satisfying."

How did you end up in Defense?

A colleague at i-did alerted me to the vacancy for a repair technician at the Ministry of Defence. Tina (a coach at i-did) guided me well throughout the entire application process, and thanks in part to her help, the application led to a one-year contract with the Ministry of Defence.

After a year, I got a permanent position. This changed my life. Having a permanent contract has brought a lot of stability and peace to my life. I-did helped me achieve this.

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

 I felt incredibly welcome and at home at i-did; I truly felt like I belonged there. The coaching sessions were also incredibly valuable; they gave me renewed confidence in myself.

I also had the opportunity to gain experience in tailoring, which still helps me in my work at the Ministry of Defence. At i-did, I was able to get back into the work rhythm without too much pressure; I had the space to adjust. I'm very grateful for that!

Photography: Vera Claessen

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.