MEA’s Create Gifts launches new website offering personalised gifts with a social impact

AEL trainees Cody, Stuart and Rachael

Larne-based social enterprise Access Employment Limited (AEL) has unveiled a new online platform, creategifts.co.uk, marking a significant expansion of its Create Gifts brand.

The website introduces a diverse range of personalised and customised gifts, reinforcing AEL’s mission to combine commercial success with meaningful social impact.

Create Gifts, established two years ago as a venture under AEL, has primarily focused on supplying bulk merchandise, corporate gifts, and awards to businesses.

The launch of its personalised gifts range represents a bold step forward, offering customers engraved and full-colour personalisation options across an array of products tailored for individuals and special occasions.

Lauren Boyd (Giftware Team Leader), Laura Steele (CEO) and Jackie Reid (Head of Business)

Jackie Reid, Head of Business at Create Gifts, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture. “Create Gifts is a Social Enterprise of AEL,” she said. “For the last two years, we have concentrated predominantly on bulk merchandise, corporate gifts, and awards to businesses, but now we are delighted to announce that we have extended our product range and are launching our personalised gifts range.”

Jackie emphasised the emotional value of the new offerings. “Here at Create Gifts, we believe that a personalised gift shows a deeper level of thoughtfulness and care, as it is specifically tailored to a person’s interests and memories,” she explained.

“This makes the gift more unique and meaningful, and demonstrates that the giver took the time to create something special for them.”

The expanded product line includes an assortment of bespoke items, such as pink sparkly thermal water bottles, Northern Ireland slang mugs, personalised photo slates, and a selection of gifts for every occasion during the year such as Father’s Day, teacher’s gifts and more.

Beyond its commercial ambitions, Create Gifts remains deeply rooted in AEL’s ethos of fostering inclusivity and opportunity. Founded in 1998 as Northern Ireland’s first social enterprise, AEL has long championed meaningful employment and training for individuals facing barriers to work, including those with additional needs, learning disabilities, health conditions, or social disadvantage.

AEL trainees showcasing the Create Gifts product range

The organisation operates several commercial ventures, reinvesting all profits to sustain and grow its initiatives.

Laura Steele, CEO of AEL, highlighted the broader significance of the website launch.

“This is a very exciting time for all of us, and especially for our trainees,” she said. “But Create Gifts is more than just a gift store. Our businesses, like Create Gifts, provide work experience and training to individuals with additional needs, learning disabilities, health conditions, and social disadvantage.”

Laura underscored the social purpose behind every purchase. “When you make a purchase at Create Gifts, you are gifting with a purpose, and helping us to help others,” she added.

By choosing items from the new website, customers directly support AEL’s efforts to empower vulnerable individuals through skills development and workplace opportunities.

The Create Gifts initiative exemplifies AEL’s commitment to blending high-quality craftsmanship with social good. Currently, 76% of AEL’s income is derived from commercial activities, with every penny of profit reinvested to enhance training programmes and support its mixed-ability workforce.

This model has enabled the organisation to create sustainable jobs while helping trainees build confidence and unlock their potential.

The new website offers a user-friendly platform for customers to explore the full range of personalised gifts, each crafted with care and purpose. From birthday and wedding presents to seasonal keepsakes, the products cater to a wide audience, with the added appeal of contributing to a brighter future for those AEL serves.

AEL’s broader mission, rooted in values of teamwork, respect, passion, and equality, continues to resonate across its operations. Create Gifts stands as a testament to the power of enterprise as a tool for social change, inviting customers to shop with meaning and make a tangible difference in their community.

For more information or to browse the new range, visit creategifts.co.uk.