The Reader’s upcycling group to host free workshops

The Reader’s dedicated community Upcycling Group, which has been running for more than five years, is looking to expand and is offering free workshops for members.

Two friendly and open weekly volunteer group sessions committed to restoring or ‘upcycling’ furniture and other items meet every Friday at The Coach House – one of the Liverpool charity’s spaces in Calderstones Park, in the same courtyard as the Ice Cream Parlour and The Storybarn. They take place between 10am-1pm; and 1-4pm. 

Thanks to new funding from Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) the Upcycling group is able to offer three free workshops for volunteer upcyclers in January and February.  

Designer and upcycler Nicky Cash, who runs Done Up North, a Wirral-based upcycling business, and has appeared on the BBC’s flagship upcycling programme, Money for Nothing, as an artisan, will be leading workshops on Wood Revival and Restoration; Upholstery skills and Metallic design.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA), said:

“This is an outstanding project, and I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in its successful delivery. By empowering people with the skills to repair and refurbish items, this initiative promotes a circular economy by reducing waste and unnecessary consumption. 

“The workshops are inspiring, demonstrating the value of keeping usable furniture out of the waste stream and ensuring it continues to serve its purpose within our communities. I strongly encourage the development of similar initiatives that divert valuable furniture from the waste stream and ensure it continues to serve its purpose within our communities.”

The Upcycling Group is also looking for new members on a Friday, as well as announcing plans to establish a second group on a Saturday, with thanks to further funding from Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority and launching an appeal for furniture donations which could be upcycled. 

No upcycling experience is required by anyone interested in joining the group, and the group has projects ready to be worked on. It receives support from volunteer leads and members of staff from The Reader, who will train members to use equipment when necessary. 

Mary Crotty, Engagement Manager at The Reader, the UK’s largest Shared Reading charity, which runs more than 490 shared reading groups across the Liverpool City Region and rest of the UK, said:

“Our Upcycling Group is a friendly and dedicated community of volunteers. The drop-in group – which has morning and afternoon sessions – is incredibly welcoming and keen to get stuck into new projects and ideas. 

“They add such a unique string to our bow of community wellbeing groups. I’d strongly encourage all who are curious to get in touch and have a go.”

Members of the group restore second hand, antique or vintage wooden furniture by sanding, re-varnishing, waxing or painting. They make repairs as needed, upholster and re-purpose older pieces of furniture or household items. 

Projects can vary from turning an armchair, an old bike and standard lamp into a pedal-powered reading-light-chair for children in The Storybarn to repurposing bookcases and picture frames. An upcycled piece of furniture can be returned to the owner, sold to raise funds towards The Reader’s charity work, created for use within the charity or sold to partner organisations, such as housing associations at a discounted rate, ensuring furniture goes to go to those most in need.

Anyone who has a potential item they would like to donate should programmes@thereader.org.uk including a photograph of the piece. Furniture may be in need of minor repairs. The group is unable to collect furniture from people’s homes.

Anyone who would like to join the upcycling group or like some more information can email Mary at programmes@thereader.org.uk

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