Mending Matters is a community interest company located in Brightlingsea that revolves around nine key objectives that aim to offer plastic free alternatives and encourage the reuse and repurposing of everyday items. Mending Matters unites the community through the interest of challenging the single-use plastic waste crisis and gives them the necessary tools and space to be able to get involved. I spoke to Zoe Martin, one of the four directors at Mending Matters, who told me more about the shop's progress since opening and more about what they provide. 

 

Mending Matters offers an extensive range of community activities that combat the harmful throwaway culture. “We have a variety of activities like a monthly bike repair clinic, weekly day and a half textiles support drop ins, making and mending and monthly swap shops.” The shop offers people the opportunity to learn new skills that give them the chance to fight against climate change together as a community by creating a space for people to share their skills with others through workshops and drop-in sessions. As participation increases, more people are talking about what they can do to fight against climate change. 

 

The shop offers a broad range of refills from shampoo and conditioner to laundry liquids. “It is important to us that we sell refills that are as friendly to the environment as possible,” said Zoe. They also display and encourage local makers to sell their handmade and affordable sustainable creations such as reusable gift bags, beeswax food wraps and recycled earrings. 

 

Mending Matters was formed on the 25th of January 2022 and the community space opened on the 18th of March 2022. So far, the shop has received positive feedback from its customers and has brought a new positive outlook to Brightlingsea. While customers refill their bottles, they are reducing their carbon footprint by cutting consumption and reducing waste. “Since we’ve been open, we’ve saved the equivalent of at least 2000 half litre plastic bottles.” Look out for workshops and drop-ins on Mending Matters Facebook page @plasticfreebrightlingsea or visit the website https://mendingmattersbrightlingsea.wordpress.com/ for more information.