Stourport volunteers donating soap for charities
Scout volunteers from Stourport have been washing away their lockdown blues by making soap and turned a hobby into a business.
Mother-of-three Karen Blanchfield, 45, and Xime Carrillo, 46 and mother-of-two, met while volunteering with the Wyre Forest 17 Stourport (Mid Severn) Scout Group and became friends.
Two years ago they went on a soap-making workshop and enjoyed it so much they produced bars for friends and family but decided to go into business as 7soaps just months before the first lockdown.
Karen, an ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy and former holiday resort manager in Lanzarote, said: "The soaps have proved very popular and we have marketed them through Bell's Farm Shop at Crossway Green where we also held workshops.
"The soaps are chemicals free and contain coconut oil, olive oil and sunflower oil and are scented with essential oils and we add natural flowers and spices.
Environmentally friendly
"We have also been growing bee-friendly plants in our gardens.
"The soaps sell for £3.50 and because we are passionate about the environment even the packaging can act as a soap dish and be recycled after use."
The two women have now also developed a dog shampoo range.
Xime, an Ecuadorian marine biologist, added: "We used to make the soaps together but because of the national restrictions now have to do it separately in our own homes.
"We both enjoy making the products."
The women found themselves with surplus products at Christmas time and donated them to six care homes in the Wyre Forest and Droitwich area, Wyre Forest Food Bank and High Hopes Dog Rescue Centre.
By Sue Smith
