A social enterprise founded by migrant women living in direct provision and local communities in Cork. Saoirse means freedom.
Gifts that eliminate barriers to employment and education. Advocating for the migrant community. Saoirse-Ethnic Hands on Deck is a cooperative formed primarily of women asylum seekers in Direct Provision Centres, together with other local migrants. We create stylish products with an emphasis on quality, community benefit and fairness. Prior to setting up the cooperative, many of our members were
15/01/2026
✨ Food has a magical way of bringing people together
🌍 It crosses borders, languages, and generations, creating moments of connection where words aren’t needed.
🤝Around a shared table, we find comfort, culture, and care, reminding us that no matter where we come from, we all belong and are nourished by community
19/12/2025
We’re on a mission to bring Christmas cheer to over 400 children in Direct Provision across Cork! 🎁
With more families to support this year and limited funds, we truly need your help to reach our goal. If you can contribute, please find our GoFundMe link in the bio.
Thank you for your kindness!
18/12/2025
This year, we are proud to support the Direct Provision Christmas Parties for the third year in a row, bringing festive joy to over 400 children living in Direct Provision centres across Cork 🎄✨.
Each child receives a gift and enjoys a fun-filled Christmas party with their family, organised in partnership with the Cork Migrant Centre.
🎁 Our goal: Raise €25,000 to make these celebrations possible. Together, we can create a magical Christmas for every child.
Donate via our GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/d8686e058
Thank you, , for the stunning photos that share the story of this project! 📸
12/12/2025
Join us in creating Christmas magic! 🤝 This year marks our third time supporting the Direct Provision Christmas Parties-a heartwarming initiative that brings festive cheer to over 400 children in Cork's Direct Provision centers.
This incredible voluntary group ensures every child receives a thoughtful gift and enjoys a party packed with treats, fun, and a special family day out.
We proudly collaborate with the Cork Migrant Centre to make sure these celebrations are inclusive and truly memorable. Thank you, , for the stunning photos that share the story of this project! 📸
We need your support to reach our €20,000 goal and fund all the parties. Every donation helps us deliver holiday magic and smiles to children who need it most.
Donate via our GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/d8686e058
09/12/2025
This year, we are proudly supporting the Direct Provision Christmas Parties for the third year in a row .
These celebrations are organized by Direct Provision Christmas Parties, a voluntary group dedicated to bringing joy to over 400 children living in Direct Provision centers across Cork 🎁.
Each child receives a thoughtful gift and enjoys a festive party filled with entertainment, treats, and a memorable day out with their families 🎉🍬👨👩👧👦.
These events are created in partnership with the Cork Migrant Centre, ensuring a meaningful and inclusive celebration for everyone involved 🤝💛.
A special thank you to Emma Jervis for the beautiful photography that captures the heart of this project 📸💫.
🎄 Our goal: Raise €20,000 to make all of these Christmas parties possible.
With your help, we can bring smiles, warmth, and holiday magic to hundreds of children who truly deserve it ❤️✨.
Our GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/d8686e058
10/06/2025
🧼🌸 Join us for our Soap Making Workshop, where you’ll make your own beautiful honey-based soaps using natural, locally sourced ingredients and decorate them with dried flowers.
Led by talented facilitators, this hands-on session is all about creativity, good company, and going home with something that smells and looks amazing. Perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself!
Places are limited, please book your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/soap-making-workshop-tickets-1406339532399?aff=oddtdtcreator
05/06/2025
🌍 Meet Saoirse – Ethnic Hands on Deck (EHD)
A migrant-women-led cooperative born in Cork during the COVID-19 crisis.
✨ Founded in 2020, Saoirse EHD started with the Sanctuary Mask Initiative, producing over 9,000 masks for people in Direct Provision and vulnerable communities across Ireland.
💪 Today, it’s more than a sewing project. It’s a space for empowerment, dignity, and freedom. Through handmade goods, sustainable practices, and solidarity, Saoirse is changing lives one stitch at a time.
🔗 Follow the journey. Support the mission. Shop with purpose.
04/06/2025
🌍 Every stitch tells a story.
When a woman migrates, she carries more than just a suitcase — she carries strength, resilience, and dreams. At Saoirse Ethnic Hands, these dreams take shape in every Sanctuary Cap. Handmade surgical scrub caps created by migrant women in Cork, using fabric donated by the local hospital.
👩⚕️ Designed for healthcare.
Each cap is stitched with care, crafted from 100% cotton, and packed in a zero-waste pouch made from upcycled sterilisation wraps. Giving new life to materials and new purpose to women.
💚 When you wear a Sanctuary Cap, you’re not just choosing sustainability and comfort.
You’re supporting women, funding opportunities, and helping us keep our mission alive.
✨ From their hands to your heart. This is more than a cap.
It’s a sanctuary.
🛒 Shop now and be part of the story:
👉 https://saoirse-ehd.ie/collections/limited-edition
08/05/2025
🧼🕯️ Soap & Candle Workshops – Fri 31st May 🕯️🧼
Join us for a hands-on, heart-filled day of making your own natural soaps and soy candles with Saoirse Ethnic Hands 💛
✨ Soap-Making Workshop | 11:00–13:00
Craft bars of honey-based soap, scented with essential oils and decorated with dried flowers 🌸
✨ Candle-Making Workshop | 15:00–17:00
Pour your own soy wax candle and personalise it with petals, oils, and natural materials 🌿
No experience needed – just bring yourself and your creative spirit!
All materials and light refreshments included 🌼
Each workshop is led by skilled migrant women. All profits go back into our project supporting migrant women in Cork 💪🏽
🎟️ Book your spot now:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/soap-and-candle-workshops-tickets-1355303311689?aff=oddtdtcreator