Every move is perfect

Seeing what you have achieved - that is important to Elvira Schelinski. And in her case, the visibility of her work is twofold: The proWerk employee works in an integrated workplace in the sewing workshop of Antonia Berndt and Julia Meinert. Here she produces high-visibility waistcoats for cyclists, which ensure that their wearers are easily recognisable in traffic.

The reflective waistcoats "Made in Bielefeld" are called "Colourful dogs". The brightly coloured fabrics from which they are made are blue, yellow, red or black. Elvira Schelinski's every move is perfect when sewing the blanks; the 42-year-old sews ten pieces in one go. "In the beginning, it took almost a whole week. But now I only need five hours for the same number", she says.

The trained seamstress has been part of the "anju concept store" team since June 2023. She is happy to be able to practise her old profession here again. After separating from her husband, Elvira Schelinski became mentally ill and received inpatient support, including at Bethel's Pniel specialised clinic. She then completed a vocational training programme in the textile processing department of the Julia-von-Bodelschwingh-Haus. Instead of switching to the work area of a workshop for people with disabilities, Elvira Schelinski opted for an integrated workplace. This means that the clients provide their services to an employer on the primary labour market outside of a workshop, but remain employees of the workshop.

"The job here is ideal for me in order to stabilise my health and have something to do," says Elvira Schelinski. "I simply love sewing. And here, unlike in the workshop, I'm not reminded so much of my illness." Her workplace is located directly behind the sales area of the shop near Siegfriedplatz in Bielefeld. In addition to high-visibility waistcoats for people and dogs, the range includes gym bags, bum bags and, more recently, covers for bicycle helmets. "Everything is brightly coloured for better visibility in road traffic," says Elvira Schelinski.

The most important thing in production is to work cleanly and accurately. After all, customers expect flawless goods. And they get them - also thanks to the commitment of Elvira Schelinski: "I'm proud of my work - especially when I get positive feedback," she says. Praise comes not only from the customers, but also from the boss: "Mrs Schelinski does a great job here," says Managing Director Julia Meinert. "The fact that we came together was a godsend for us." The experience with the integrated workplace was so good that Antonia Berndt and Julia Meinert set up a second one at the end of 2023. "It's a total win-win situation," says Julia Meinert. "Mrs Schelinski and her colleague are happy to be working in a regular company. And their collaboration is also an absolute enrichment for us."