HMR Circle launches new ‘Repair, Refurbish and Renovate’ project

A volunteer repairs a bench

A new project by a social group for older people is aiming to fix and upcycle items by sharing skills and knowledge.

‘Repair, Refurbish & Renovate’ is the latest project by the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) Circle group, a not-for-profit community interest company which works to reduce social isolation in older people.

The activity is described by the group as their mix of “Men in Sheds meets the Repair Shop meets Find It, Fix it, Flog It” and is open to men and women.

HMR Circle hopes its members will share their skills and pass on existing knowledge and experience to other members to create a range of projects.

The group will work at its community gardens off Queensway, Rochdale, to help make raised growing beds, repair benches, bring old hand-tools back to life, create bits of garden art, and assist with any creative ideas.

Director Mark Wynn added: “We are also looking at other opportunities to develop this project working with the Canals and River Trust, local surgeries and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing so we spruce up donated furniture to pass on or sell to people, build raised beds for the canal to make it more attractive or simply just improve people’s DIY skills.”

The first of what will be a weekly session starts on Wednesday 6 October at 11am at the HMR Circle Community Garden, Queens Drive, (off Queensway) Rochdale OL11 2NW.