A new project to create an alternative DIY shop, aimed at transforming waste, promoting repairs and building community connections, is set to start in Frome this February.
The pop-up store will sell new and pre-loved building materials, home accessories and decoration supplies at a fraction of the retail price. Materials will be sourced from local DIY stores, tradespeople’s leftovers and anyone wanting to dispose of those ‘too good to waste’ materials lurking in their garage.
The project also aims to host workshops on upcycling and basic DIY skills for all.
Edventure is seeking a new group of individuals to take on this project through its Incubation training course, starting on Friday 7th February.
Open to adults from all backgrounds, the course teaches social enterprise skills by guiding participants through the process of designing, building and piloting a real social enterprise that makes a positive local impact.
Participants will benefit from a community-based learning model, forming meaningful connections around shared passions, expanding their network and learning how best to work together to make a real impact.
Participants will explore key questions for the alternative DIY store project, including determining what DIY materials can be salvaged from waste streams, identifying a suitable store location, estimating costs, developing a sustainable business model and planning effective marketing strategies.
The course will draw on the huge range of reuse activities already happening in Frome and will be of particular interest to people wanting to learn more about creating value from waste, setting up retail pop-ups and understanding how the circular economy works at a local level.
The course is now open for enrolment and will be based at the Edventure Hub in Frome at The Welsh Mill, Park Hill Drive.
Sessions run on Fridays from 7th February to 27th June, from 9.15am to 2.45pm, with additional hours determined by participants.
A member of Edventure, James Wallis, said, “Edventure’s alternative DIY store project will build on Edventure’s strong track record of initiating local reuse projects that have had a national impact.”
These include the UK’s first Community Fridge, the Share Library of Things, Loop Frome composting from local commercial food waste, MAKE and Everyone Needs Pockets.
A past course participant reflected on their experience and said, “I arrived at a moment of change and uncertainty and left feeling confident, empowered, inspired and with a new network of support for future endeavours.”
The Incubation course is open to adults from all backgrounds and locations. Thanks to funding from Somerset Council, it is free for Somerset residents on lower incomes or in priority groups. For others, the course costs £880. If cost is a barrier, Edventure encourages applicants to email hello@edventurefrome.org to explore options.
For more information or to apply, visit edventurefrome.org or email hello@edventurefrome.org.
Pictured: Members of an Edventure group working together