This #SmallCharityWeek, we spoke to Hannah from Archway Upcycle Group (AUG) – a grassroots community group offering a large workspace for the use of power tools, to build a more connected and sustainable borough. The initiative has been
Since launching in 2023, AUG has grown organically to over 100 members. The group offers free access to a shared workspace and power tools – like routers, sanders, and drills – for people who may not have the space, confidence, or funds to use them at home.
What difference has your project made to the community?
Archway Upcycle is a diverse grass roots community group who, without advertising, have grown to over 100 members since we first formed in 2023. We offer the supervised use of tools for free in a large welcoming workspace, and so we appeal especially to those who do not have the space, confidence or financial means to use power tools at home.
By working alongside each other on our own and each other’s projects – we naturally form a supportive community, sharing ideas and skills. Upcycling is not just repairing, it also includes creativity and rescuing from landfill, which is a large part of our drive.
“We are formalising our group as a charity so that we can grow bigger and better. And (with the help of the Islington Council Community Chest fund) we are purchasing an e-cargo bike so that we can pick up and deliver rescued furniture around the borough without having to use petrol.” ~ Hannah, Archway Upcycle Group
How has the Make it Happen Fund supported you and your work?
The Make it Happen Fund has helped AUG twice! First of all to buy some essential tools which were missing from our range – such as a palm router, an orbital sander and high carbon steel drill bits. And now a dust extraction system for our new workshop which we are setting up in the Greenskills Hub at Holloway Park We have a lot of sanding, drilling and sawing tools in one room which all create sawdust, which is not good for people’s lungs – or the safety of the machines which can get clogged up with dust. The Make it Happen fund is allowing us to create a network of hoses and attach ‘shop vacs’ (workshop vacuum cleaners) to the machines to remove the sawdust as it is created.
“This year along with our regular growing membership, we are also running workshops for Refugees and Asylum Seekers as part of the Borough of Sanctuary scheme, so we hope our project will welcome them, provide them with resources and connect them to our widening community.” ~ Hannah, Archway Upcycle Group
What are your hopes and goals for the year ahead?
We plan to run workshops at our new Holloway Park location, supporting people in the use of more advanced machines like mitre saws and pillar drills – and expanding our community to reach more people. We are formalising our group as a charity so that we can grow bigger and better. And (with the help of the Islington Council Community Chest fund) we are purchasing an e-cargo bike so that we can pick up and deliver rescued furniture around the borough without having to use petrol.
This year along with our regular growing membership, we are also running workshops for Refugees and Asylum Seekers as part of the Borough of Sanctuary scheme, so we hope our project will welcome them, provide them with resources and connect them to our widening community
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing small charities like yours?
Our biggest challenge is space! We need to store the furniture and materials that we rescue so that we can offer them to upcyclers. Our WhatsApp group is full of pics of amazing furniture that members have spotted being thrown out on the street but we can’t rescue unless we have somewhere to store them. So if anyone knows of any disused space – garages, sheds – or even an empty building that we could move into – please think of us! 🙂