Upcycling centre transforms the old and unwanted

Galway’s first upcycling centre has been launched at the Galway Artisan Workshop on Sandy Road.

Upcycling is reusing waste without destroying it in order to form something new. It is more energy efficient than recycling, as recycling takes waste products, breaks them down, then forms them into something new, whereas with upcycling you’re creating something new without all the breaking down.

Social Enterprise Development Officer at the Galway City Partnership, Eileen Lauster, explained that if you have a piece of furniture that you’d like to keep, but want to update, for example with different fabrics, you take it into the centre where you can then consult with professionals and have your piece of furniture redesigned.

Eileen said: “Galway was the only major city in Ireland that didn’t have an upcycling centre. I’m happy to say that this is no longer the case.” She said the “centre is based on what’s worked across Europe”, so they are very confident about the project.

The furniture upcycling is done by William Sheppard, who has many years of upholstery experience and skills. As well as providing this service to the public, he is also training others.

You can also purchase clothes in the centre from ‘Sew Last Season’ – a public sewing room located in Ozanam House, St Augustine Street  which was set up to teach people how to sew, mend and upcycle. They are supported by St Vincent de Paul who provides the workspace and materials.

Helen Garvey, fashion and textile designer of ‘Sew Last Season’ explained: “Not all of the donated garments can be sold in the Vincent de Paul shop and this is where we come in; embellishing, mending and sometimes completely transforming garments into ladies, childrenswear and accessories.”

They also provide workshops on how to upcycle, redesign, mend, repair and how to use a sewing machine.

The Galway Artisan Workshop is a social enterprise project of Galway City Partnership. Their aim is to tackle disadvantage and social exclusion, focusing particularly on those who are long term unemployed.

As well as providing something that is beneficial to the environment, it also provides working opportunities and a chance to build skills for people on different schemes such as the Tús Programme.

The centre is located in Galway Artisan Workshop, Unit 11a on Sandy Road and is open on Mondays from 10-2, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10-4 and Fridays from 10am-12pm.