Innovative Newcastle charity shop invites locals to join in at upcycling workshops to get creative and raise money for Gosforth Hospice
Newcastle charity shop, Re-styled by St Oswald’s Hospice – which transforms donated furniture into unique upcycled homewares, has launched a series of interactive workshops, where you can learn to craft like a pro while raising funds for the Gosforth-based Hospice.
On top of teaching new skills to upcycling enthusiasts, the workshops, which start from £25 per person, are a creative way of fundraising for the local charity, which needs to raise over £7.5m a year.
Free events are being held regularly throughout the year too, including ‘Beginners Painting’, where people can learn the basics of using chalk paint to bring new life into old pieces.
There’ll also be expert ‘as seen on TV’ advice on hand courtesy of the shop’s manager, Sophie Adamson. Sophie has appeared twice on the international shopping channel, Hochanda, offering viewers live demonstrations accompanied by creative hints and tips.
Alongside her assistant shop manager, Sarah Finnemore, the duo have combined their artistic talents to develop the varied programme of basic, intermediate and advanced classes for hopeful #northeastupcyclers.
As well as discovering new crafts such as rag wreath making, embellishment and decoupage, attendees can perfect techniques to transform furniture, with workshops in upholstery and painting also on offer.
Later in the year, anyone taking part in the Christmas-themed sessions will be sure to get into the festive spirit after learning how to create their very own homemade bunting and stockings.
With all workshops held in the bright and colourful Re-styled store, based in Eldon Garden Shopping Centre in Newcastle, participants can enjoy an intimate setting, while taking interiors inspiration from its ever-changing collection of beautifully bespoke, handcrafted homewares.
All workshops will provide the necessary tools to master each skill, and participants will receive a special discount voucher to use in-store across the range of unique upcycled furniture.
To secure a place and for more information, please call the shop on 0191 230 3184, email re-styled@stoswaldsuk.org, or pop in at Unit 19 Eldon Garden Shopping Centre, NE1 7RA. A deposit of 50% of the workshop cost must be paid in advance – transactions can be made in person or by phone. For free sessions, no deposit is required but spaces must be booked. Anybody who attends a workshop will be given an opportunity to receive a special discount voucher to be spent within the shop on selected upcycle furniture.
To keep up to date with news from the Re-styled team, follow them on Facebook and Instagram by searching ‘Restyled St Oswald’s’, and join the conversation using #northeastupcyclers.