During my visit to the Charlbury Community Workshop, I met with Trustees Matthew, Dave, and William, along with volunteers Helen and Pat. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with everyone busily engaged in various crafts, chatting, and socialising.
The workshop itself is divided into two sections: one dedicated to soft crafts like sewing and crocheting, and the other focused on hard crafts such as woodwork and bench repairs. What struck me immediately was the abundance of donated materials – sewing machines, tools, workbenches – a testament to the community’s generosity and support for the group’s endeavours. The workshop is extremely grateful for this generous support.
Sustainability, repurposing, and recycling are at the core of the group’s activities. As I spoke with Dave about these values, I noticed attendee Terry busily preparing donated pallets with plans to repurpose them into bird boxes and bee houses. This hands-on approach to repurposing was truly inspiring.
The workshop encourages community members to get involved in the repair process when they bring in items to be fixed. During my visit, a lady came in with a hole in her skirt that needed mending. Instead of just dropping it off, she stayed, had a coffee and chatted to the volunteers.
One attendee shared that while they have caring responsibilities at home, the workshop provides an opportunity to get out and mix with the community, combating loneliness. This sentiment was echoed by Terry, who remarked, “It gives me something to look forward to on Tuesdays. I achieve something by making something, but it’s also the camaraderie here.”
When asked about the Connected Communities Fund, Trustee Dave expressed his gratitude, stating, “It has had a massive impact on getting us to where we are now. We can operate, and we have something we can safely invite members of our community to.”
The Charlbury Community Workshop is a friendly and welcoming space, with a clear mission to bring more members of the community together, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Their commitment to repurposing and recycling is evident in their activities and the dedication of their volunteers.
Written by Jaime Hewett, OCVA Development Officer