Community Updates
Eibhlin’s Diary: Celebrating Success In Our Community
Learning from our community
One of our big focuses has been really digging into the communication needs of community initiatives. Through our mentorship programme for the Circular Communication Connection Grant awardees, we've gained such valuable insights into what's needed out there. Time and again, we're hearing that circular initiatives are incredibly time poor, but still want to make a big impact. The key needs we're seeing include:
Help creating effective social media strategies that work with limited time
Support in sharing the real impact their work has on local communities
Guidance on telling their stories in ways that inspire others to get involved
Strategies to reach audiences beyond the usual "eco-minded" circles
These learnings are shaping our big plans for how we can support community initiatives and businesses with practical, accessible communications that actually work for their realities. Our four toolkits have proved practical and useful guides, helping community initiatives get their message out.
Celebrating success in Mulranny
What a truly wonderful day we had in Mulranny, Co. Mayo this month! We were joined by Minister Alan Dillon to celebrate two of our brilliant Circular Communication grant awardees, and the sun shone down on us as we shared stories of real circular action happening right now.
Maureen from Make Your Wardrobe Work inspired us when speaking about the power of restyling, reimagining, and sharing pieces from our wardrobes to reduce our reliance on fast fashion. It's such a practical approach that shows sustainability doesn't have to be complicated!
Our fantastic host Rita, from Gift of Hands Mulranny, shared the beautiful story of how their community works together. They've partnered with local businesses like Foxford Woolen Mills, taking scrap fabrics that would otherwise go to waste and transforming them into beautiful products. The best part? The proceeds go back to local charities, while the makers have a wonderful social and creative space to work in. That's what I call a win-win-win!
Inspiring the next generation in Wicklow
I also had the privilege of visiting St Patrick's N.S. in Co. Wicklow, where they've been working with another of our grant awardees, Tamara of Too Fabulous Arts and Crafts. This collaboration, funded by Wicklow County Council, has been focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals while teaching students the joy of sewing.
The children learned about sustainable development goals, presented them to their class, and then collaborated to create a stunning banner using scrap fabrics. They even made upcycled costumes to wear at their local St. Patrick's Day Parade! Seeing the enthusiasm of all involved was absolutely infectious. These kids are gaining not just a craft skill, but a lifelong passion for creativity and sustainability.
Bash Fashion at the Rediscovery Centre
We also had a wonderful visitor to the Rediscovery Centre from another talented grant awardee, Aysha Brislane of Bash Fashion. Aysha showcased some of her upcycled clothes, each featuring a unique lino print design. What I love most about Aysha’s work is how she brings such personal meaning to the one of a kind pieces she creates. She shared a lovely story of how she sometimes upcycles sentimental pieces, like the custom print she created on an old shirt belonging to her dad and regifted it to him. It’s the perfect example of how upcycling can be so much more than just being environmentally friendly, it can also be about bringing new life to much loved items.
It's moments like these that remind me why we do what we do. Every community initiative I visit shows me that when people come together with creativity and care, we can create real, positive change that benefits everyone.
We're taking all these learnings and experiences to develop new ways of supporting the circular community movement.
Until next time,
Eibhlin