Wonky Candles, run by a deaf and blind candle maker, faced closure but was saved by a Facebook appeal. PJ Seaman's candles gained popularity after he donated a portion of the proceeds to the NHS, raising thousands of pounds.
Patrick John Seaman, known as PJ, has been making soy wax candles for more than five years. PJ, along with his brother Tom Seaman and mother Helen Seaman, runs Wonky Candles, a business based in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire. PJ, who is deaf and registered blind, also has scoliosis of the spine and epilepsy. He began making candles over five years ago, but the company faced financial difficulties, prompting a Facebook appeal for support.
The appeal was met with an overwhelming response, with hundreds of people placing orders that helped the family meet their financial obligations. Wonky Candles offers two work experience programs, one each with Two Rivers School in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and Maplewell Hall School in Loughborough. Jacqui Tarry, post-16 lead at Maplewell Hall, praised PJ and his family for their commitment to creating inclusive workplaces. Helen, 59, known as Mama Wonky, expressed gratitude for the support received, stating that while the family has been saved from immediate closure, they still face challenges and can likely operate for a few more months. Tom explained that the Facebook post resulted in approximately 1,000 orders within two days, equivalent to the usual two-month demand. These orders are currently being fulfilled by PJ, providing the family with valuable time to strategize.PJ's journey into candle making began during a family holiday when they tried it as a fun activity. He discovered a passion for the craft and invested £100 of his own money to purchase materials, creating candles as Christmas presents. He then started selling rainbow candles, donating £1 from each sale to the NHS. Within six weeks, they successfully raised over £4,500 for the healthcare system. When asked about his enjoyment of candle making, PJ shared, 'It's the whole process of seeing it happen. I think it's the fact that you see the products come in a raw form. You see them melt down, you see them then obviously go back to solid and then you see them go out the door because someone's bought them.'Tom, 31, expressed immense pride in his brother's accomplishments, including his fundraising efforts for charity through candle sales. He emphasized that Wonky Candles is named after PJ, who affectionately calls himself Mr Wonky, highlighting his unique approach and dedication to the craft. Tom added that PJ is driven and wants to make a positive impact on both his own life and the lives of others they support through their business. The work experience partnerships with the schools have been in place for at least 18 months, and Wonky Candles has offered mobile workshops for much of its four and a half-year history. Students participate in workshops at Wonky Candles, and one student from Maplewell Hall has a regular placement there. Ms. Tarry expressed the profound impact PJ and his family have had on their students, stating, 'Our students were so impressed with what they do and the fact that they were empowered and with the knowledge that they could go on and do things regardless of their additional needs was fantastic. 'Having people like PJ being able to show people what we can do, regardless of what the barriers are, is absolutely phenomenal. 'We absolutely need more people like PJ, Tom and Mama Wonky to sort of fight the good fight for inclusive workplaces.
Social Impact Candle Making Disability Inclusivity Social Enterprise Fundraising
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