AEL partners with Victoria Eco Dry Cleaners to bring new dry-cleaning service to Larne
Access Employment Limited (AEL) has partnered with Victoria Eco Dry Cleaners to introduce a much-needed dry-cleaning drop-off and collection service for the Larne community.
Founded in 1998, AEL is a social enterprise dedicated to providing meaningful work, training, and personal development opportunities for individuals with additional support needs and those facing social disadvantage across the Mid and East Antrim area.
The partnership with Victoria Eco Dry Cleaners marks the latest addition to AEL’s expanding portfolio.
The new dry-cleaning service will operate Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, offering a convenient drop-off and collection point for local residents.
Laura Steele, CEO of AEL said: “We are delighted to partner with such a renowned and established business as Victoria Eco Dry Cleaners. Larne currently doesn’t have a dry cleaners, so this service will be hugely beneficial to the people of Larne and the surrounding areas. More importantly, it will give our trainees - all of whom have additional support needs – valuable work experience in customer service and till operation. The people of Larne have been tremendous supporters of AEL, and we hope they will continue to support us in this new venture.”
Victoria Eco Dry Cleaners is a family-run business founded in Whitehead in 2010 by Gillian McGivern.
In 2023, it expanded into Carrickfergus with a mission to help clean up the dry-cleaning industry by investing in the latest green technology and employing a highly skilled team.
Staff hand-treat fabrics using natural pre-spotting products before cleaning garments with water and biodegradable detergents in state-of-the-art wet-cleaning machines. The process ensures that wastewater is harmless, uses less energy, and is significantly more sustainable.
Katie McGivern, owner of Victoria Eco Dry Cleaners, commented: “As a small local business that started 15 years ago in Whitehead, we are delighted to partner with AEL and bring our dry-cleaning and laundry services to Larne.
"This partnership not only fills a gap in local services, but also strengthens our community by creating meaningful opportunities for people with additional support needs. Working alongside AEL allows us to contribute to a more inclusive and supportive local economy, one where everyone has the chance to learn new skills and gain valuable work experience.”
About AEL
For over 27 years, AEL’s mission has remained consistent - to empower individuals through employment, work experience, and tailored support services that promote independence, confidence, and social inclusion.
Through its various initiatives, the organisation provides advice and support across a wide range of areas, including education, healthcare, housing, leisure, and social welfare.
It also offers accredited training and valuable work experience opportunities for people with additional needs, learning disabilities, health conditions, or other barriers to employment.
AEL operates several successful social enterprises – Naggy Burn Garden Centre, Lunchbox Café, and Create Gifts - where trainees gain hands-on experience in real business environments.
While AEL benefits from support from the National Lottery Community Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, an impressive 76 percent of the organisation’s income is self-generated through its own business operations.