Hackney (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Hackney-based Salvation Army church launches a clothing upcycling project, urging the community to repurpose second-hand clothes and reduce textile waste.
The initiative was just started by Hackney, Mare Street Salvation Army in an effort to recycle garments and materials from the church’s successful on-site charity shop that would otherwise be used as rags.
Every Monday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., the activity is free to attend at the church. While clothing and fabric are provided, participants are also allowed to bring their own supplies.
Vikki Remmie, a child and family worker at Hackney’s Mare Street Salvation Army, is in charge of the garment upcycling initiative.
She can also teach anyone who wants to sew how to do it. There are sewing machines available, and some attendees have also been teaching others how to knit and crochet.
Vikki said:
“We wanted to engage the community and offer something that wasn’t being done elsewhere in Hackney. With the high cost of living, we also wanted to offer something practical. Knowing how to repair or upcycle clothing can help people save money as well as care for creation by buying less.
The number of people who come in every week is slowly growing as our charity shop is helping spread the word so we’re seeing some new faces which is great. Our clothing upcycling project is a welcome space open to everyone and is a chance to get to know other people in the community.”
Some attendees have been sharing their knitting and crocheting skills with others.
Jade, who lives in Hackney, has been attending the upcycling initiative since it started after learning about it from the Mare Street Salvation Army donation shop in Hackney. She has had persistent discomfort for several years, which prevents her from working. In addition to seeing the upcycling project as a great way to get outside, Jade is also beginning to teach others how to knit and crochet.
Jade commented:
“I have been coming to the clothing upcycling project since the beginning as I can crochet and knit but I wanted to learn more about sewing. Everyone here is friendly, and I look forward to coming every week as it’s also something that gets me out of the house, so I feel less isolated.
I like to be creative and have made tops and skirts for myself and even an outfit for my mum using the material and clothes available here. It’s a good way of saving money but still having nice things to wear. I have started volunteering to share my basic sewing skills. Eventually I would like to set up knitting and crochet workshops that I will lead. I would encourage people to come here, you feel really welcome and can learn new skills.”
Children in local primary and secondary schools can get clothing from the Hackney, Mare Street Salvation Army’s school uniform bank. The uniform bank is only available to those who are referred by schools and other borough-wide organizations that assist families.
Anyone interested in learning more about the procedure is welcome to get in touch with the Hackney, Mare Street Salvation Army.
On August 7 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., the church will provide a free workshop for school uniform alterations and repairs.
How does the upcycling project promote sustainability and reduce waste?
The effort helps keep textiles out of landfills by urging people to donate and artistically repurpose used clothing and fabrics. As a result, fewer materials are thrown away, which lowers methane emissions from waste sites and degradation of the environment.
By prolonging the life of pre-existing materials, upcycling reduces the need for new raw materials such as cotton, water, and fabrics that need a lot of energy. This preserves natural resources and lessens the negative effects of textile production on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and deforestation.
The project encourages the creative repurposing and conversion of used clothing into new, valued goods, thus promoting a departure from the conventional “take-make-dispose” strategy. This encourages a circular, more sustainable method of production and consumption.