Making mending mainstream

A project to help divert household items from landfill has been awarded funding by Arwain Sir Benfro.  The Pembrokeshire Remakery offers workshops, training and opportunities to share skills in repairing furniture, textiles, computers, mechanical items and basic home electrical goods.

Arwain Sir Benfro – the Local Action Group (LAG) for Pembrokeshire, administered by PLANED have provided funding of £71,299.28 to the Pembrokeshire Remakery. This is funded through the LEADER programme, which is part of the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, Funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Stephen Merrill of the Pembrokeshire Remakery said: “We already saved 20 tonnes of household items from entering the waste stream and this funding will help us to save even more.  We are running training sessions, teaching people how to repair and mend.  The Remakery provides information and guidance, as well as offering the space for people to put into practice their new skills. We also run a shop were we sell the goods at affordable prices.

“The existing volunteers at the Remakery are learning so much, and I’m hoping to see many more join and carry on the good work in the world of repair and reuse. As well as learning new skills they are making friends and becoming part of a hub focussed on reducing waste, repairing and reusing.”

Natalie Lang, Project Officer for Arwain Sir Benfro said: “I’m really excited to see this project grow and develop, the issue of waste affects us all.

“LEADER funding is supporting all kinds of activity: mentoring, training, feasibility studies or pilot projects that test innovative new ideas, benefiting the county and contributing to a competitive, productive and sustainable local economy.”

Arwain Sir Benfro is currently supporting project ideas from local community groups, organisations and businesses. As the Local Action Group for Pembrokeshire, Arwain Sir Benfro brings together a mix of local community representatives, business, third sector, local authority partners to administer the LEADER fund.