SICAP Video Case Study - The Little Redo Like New Project

Thematic focus area - Climate action and the just transition The Redo Like New Project is circular economy initiative aimed at working with disadvantaged communities and individuals to reduce waste, reuse and repurpose anything that would otherwise be discarded and end up in landfill.

The project aims to build awareness, capacity and skills with communities and people on how to upcycle, reuse and repurpose items such as clothing, jewellery, broken household items, crockery, construction materials, plastics and other materials. This allows communities to live more sustainably, improves their health and wellbeing and even improve their economic circumstances.

Redo Like New is resourced by various Men’s Sheds Groups, Community Gardens, Loughan House Prison, Vincent’s Charity Shops and participants under the Tús Initiative and the Rural Social Scheme who use their new-found skills to not only re-create new quality items of value but also train community groups on how to do the same.

The project which has been developing over several years is funded by SICAP and supported by Tús. Historically clients referred for Tús who could not be placed into mainstream sponsors were sent back to DSP or on to other agencies such as the ETB. These client’s while keen to work needed extra in depth mentoring and supports not always provided in mainstream Tús placements.

SICAP identified community members who had crafting and creative skills and purchased some basic crafting materials and sewing machines. This allowed the group to begin repurposing old curtains and clothing from Vincent’s Charity Shops which could not be sold. Very simple items were made and Tús participants then came in to learn, watch and participate in the creative process no matter how small the involvement. In the beginning we found that over time there was a huge interest by participants many who went onto ETB soft skills courses and added to both their creative skills and their own personal development.

The project now facilitates when available outreach to Women’s groups and Men’s Sheds and has now expanded into working more with more complex repurpose items such as bicycles.

The group also now has a payment facility set up and its own branding The project is not only a fantastic example of circular economy in action but also acts as a social hub for all of the community no matter age, skill set, gender or nationality.

The group hopes to work more closely with Cavan County Council with the aim being to secure a suitable premises to drive this project forward.