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A community project in Speke has secured a £7,842 grant to help residents reduce food waste, learn vital cooking skills, and promote environmental sustainability.

The “Mint Meals, Minus Waste” project, led by Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, will be delivered in partnership with South Liverpool Homes and its food pantry, ‘The Market Place’.

The supporting grant has been awarded through the Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 which is managed by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority and Veolia. The Fund aims to increase reuse, waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability across the region.

This project will take a practical, community-oriented approach to improving food-related skills. It aims to reduce household food waste across south Liverpool by increasing awareness of its environmental and economic impacts and promoting sustainable consumption practices. Residents will benefit from a range of activities delivered at Groundwork’s ‘Grow Speke’ project site and The Market Place. Workshops and shared resources will focus on:

Smart shopping and meal planning Effective food storage and understanding date labels Healthy cooking and appropriate portion control Inventive ways to use leftovers, including monthly “Cook and Eat” sessions Community composting workshops A new community fridge will also be established at Grow Speke to encourage the redistribution of surplus food within the community.

“We are thrilled to launch ‘Mint Meals, Minus Waste’ in partnership with South Liverpool Homes,” said Jon Hutchinson, Director at Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. “This funding allows us to connect directly with residents at trusted community hubs like Grow Speke and The Market Place. By sharing practical tips on everything from meal planning to composting, we can empower families to reduce food waste, save money, and make a positive environmental impact right here in Speke.”

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “Preventing waste is a key priority for the Authority, and food waste is a major contributor to climate change. The ‘Mint Meals, Minus Waste’ project is a fantastic, grassroots initiative that addresses this challenge head-on. By supporting Groundwork, the Zero Waste Community Fund is investing in practical education that changes daily habits. This project will not only help reduce food waste but will also build a more resilient and environmentally conscious community.”

The project will directly engage with over 360 residents through its workshops and pantry discussions, with information also reaching thousands more tenants across South Liverpool.

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Notes to editors:

Image caption – Volunteers and participants from Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, Squash Nutrition and MRWA at a cookery skills event in Speke, Liverpool, on Friday 14th Nov, 2025

About the organisations:

Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside: A registered charity dedicated to creating greener, stronger, and healthier communities by improving local environments and supporting residents. Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA): Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the management of household waste in Merseyside and Halton. They are committed to promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling through a variety of initiatives, including the Zero Waste Community Fund. www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

Media contact:

John Lally | Communications and Development Officer Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority | 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP Office: 0151 255 2568 | Mobile: 07796005401 Email: john.lally@merseysidewda.gov.uk

Community groups and organisations celebrated their respective shares of £55,100 awarded through the 2025 Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund to support projects that enhance local wellbeing, improve the environment and support the community.

Representatives from each group recently came together at Tower Hill Community Hub in Kirkby to celebrate their success and share ideas. The hub, which was itself supported by the fund in previous years, has grown into a valued local space for collaboration and community support. The event gave this year’s recipients the chance to connect, exchange experiences and explore ways to work together.

The annual fund provided by Merseyside Energy Recovery Ltd (MERL) in partnership with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ), supports a wide range of initiatives from youth engagement and sport to mental health support and sustainable food projects.

Since launching in 2018, the fund has now invested £445,700 in local community projects across Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield and Prescot North, helping to deliver lasting benefits for thousands of residents.

This year, funding has been awarded to 13 local groups and organisations selected for their commitment to making a real difference for Kirkby residents:

• Tower Hill Youth FC (£2,000) – Sporting Solutions. Affordable weekly football sessions with tactical training, breathwork and meditation, promoting healthy lifestyles and teamwork for children who may otherwise face barriers to participation.
• Tower Hill Community Hub (£4,600) – The Community Network. Weekly workshops offering financial advice, skills development, employability support, and social activities to help residents build resilience, confidence and community connections.
• Positive Futures (£9,900) – Targets Support Service. One-to-one and group support sessions for young people across Kirkby, delivered in accessible, youth-friendly spaces, to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation.
• Southdene Community Association (£3,600) – Smart Steps Programme. Financial health and wellbeing sessions to help families and vulnerable groups manage money effectively, reduce stress and build confidence through practical advice and peer support.
• Evolving Mindset (£2,500) – Kirkby Men’s Wellbeing Club. Thirty weeks of free weekly sessions combining physical activity with mental health support, tackling social isolation and promoting healthier lifestyles for over 100 local men.
• Mind Connect (£3,100) – Mind Connect Community. A wellbeing membership scheme offering group sessions, coaching, online support and community events to reduce mental health inequalities and social isolation through early intervention.
• FC Kirkby (£2,600) – Heads Up Project. Weekly inclusive football and peer support sessions to help men build confidence, connect socially and improve mental health in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.
• The Eco Therapy Garden (£1,600) – Healthy Food Hub Project. Subsidised healthy food, cooking demonstrations and seed growing to tackle poor nutrition and provide affordable, nutritious options for families and older residents.
• Sports Alive North West (£4,300) – Kirkby Youth and Play Project. STEM-focused kart-building and train station art initiatives to inspire creativity, teamwork and environmental awareness among young people media
• Me2U (£2,200) – Memories and Support. Fortnightly sessions for individuals and families following a dementia diagnosis, offering therapeutic activities, practical guidance and peer support to promote a “live well with dementia” ethos.
• The CELLS Project (£5,500) – Youth Club: Staffing, training and inclusive programming to provide a safe, creative youth space, including learning-disability training and coordination.
• Apollo Active (£8,600) – Sports in the Parks: 52 outreach sessions at Webster Park and Knowsley Lane recreation Ground, combining multisport activities, mentoring and pathway to accredited coaching qualifications.
• Centre 63 (£4,600) – Growing Garden: Transforming an outdoor area with an accessibility ramp, vertical growing wall and communal beds – creating an inclusive, social, food-growing space that reduces isolation.

The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund was established as part of an agreement between MERL, which treat the residual waste from across Merseyside and Halton, and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). SUEZ is one of the shareholders in MERL and the operator of Knowsley rail loading transfer station, where the residual waste is compacted onto rail containers to be sent on to an energy from waste facility to generate electricity.

Victoria Crabtree, Regional Manager at SUEZ, said: “It is always fantastic to see the dedication of local groups and the positive impact of their work. We are proud to continue supporting these initiatives, which bring communities together and deliver lasting benefits for residents across Kirkby. We look forward to receiving more applications when the fund reopens next Spring.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said “We recognise the incredible dedication of local groups in meeting the needs of their communities, and we are delighted this funding will provide a welcome boost to their services. It is always wonderful to hear of the local projects and initiatives helped by the Fund, and I look forward to seeing their progress.”

To learn more about the journey of Merseyside and Halton’s household waste, local schools and community groups are invited to book a visit to the Rail Transfer Loading Station in Knowsley, where they can explore how residual waste contributes to sustainable energy generation.

The Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund is open to applications from non-profit, constituted groups, and local schools, dedicated to community and environmental progress in the Kirkby area.

 

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Local not-for-profit organisation Earth Moves has launched an innovative environmental project to transform four acres of land into a biodiverse and regenerative community space.

The project will use a permaculture technique called hügelkultur to divert over four tonnes of local food waste, cardboard, and paper annually, turning it into nutrient-rich soil. Hügelkultur is a gardening technique where raised beds are created by planting on mounds made from decaying wood, cardboard and other compostable materials.

Based in Wallasey, the community-driven initiative aims to provide a tangible, low-cost solution to climate change while empowering local residents to take practical action in changing waste habits by learning composting skills they can use at home. Over a 12-month timeline, the project will engage the community through a series of hands-on activities, workshops, and educational outreach programs. Key objectives include preventing waste, increasing soil fertility, and creating an educational model that other communities can replicate.

The project has received £7698 through the Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 which is managed by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority and Veolia. The Fund aims to increase reuse, waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability across the region.

“This project is a critical intervention in times of environmental crisis,” said Paula Staunton, Project Lead and Director at Earth Moves. “By turning waste into a resource, we’re not just regenerating the land; we are building a resilient, informed, and empowered community that can take meaningful action against climate change.”

The project is aiming to directly engage with over 800 people, including local residents and businesses, and will generate an estimated 5,200 volunteer hours. Volunteers will receive training in sustainable practices like composting and permaculture, with support provided for expenses and mentoring.

Earth Moves recently (October 11th) held a hands‑on workshop on the site, where visitors were shown how to turn waste cardboard into a no‑dig meadow — a simple, eco‑friendly method suitable even for smaller garden patches. Using reclaimed cardboard, they demonstrated how to suppress weeds, build healthy soil, and prepare the ground for wildflowers and grasses without the need for digging or chemicals.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of MRWA, said: “Projects like this one are crucial in delivering useful information directly to residents and helping make positive changes in behaviour. We’re really looking forward to seeing how it develops.”

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Charities and community organisations across Kirkby, Merseyside, are invited to apply for a share of £50,000 from the Kirkby Neighbourhood Community Fund, which is now open for 2025 applications.

The fund, which launched in 2018, supports wellbeing and environmental projects within the communities of Northwood, Cherryfield, Shevington, Whitefield, and Prescot North. The initiative is linked to the Knowsley Rail Transfer Station, operated by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK on behalf of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA).

Victoria Crabtree, Regional Manager at SUEZ, said: “We are proud to continue supporting Kirkby’s incredible range of community groups. The projects funded last year have had a real, visible impact—from improving mental health and fitness to tackling food waste and building stronger communities. We are excited to see what this year’s applicants will bring forward and encourage all eligible organisations to apply.”

The fund is part of an ongoing agreement between Merseyside Energy Recovery Limited (MERL)—of which SUEZ is a shareholder—and MRWA. For every tonne of household residual waste transported from the transfer station, 10p is donated to the fund. It is an integral part of putting people and the planet at the forefront of the local communities that we serve.

In 2024, 11 projects were awarded funding, benefitting thousands of Kirkby residents. Successful applicants included:

• Kirkby Milers AC for a youth fitness and wellbeing initiative.
• Kindred LCR, which established a women-led community hub.
• Knowsley Foodbank, which launched a circular food-growing project with greenhouses and chickens.
• Mind Connect, offering free mental health hubs and education sessions.
• Tower Hill ABC, which expanded its boxing club and built a hub for elderly residents.
Councillor Catie Page, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “It’s brilliant to see how this fund continues to support the people of Kirkby. Local groups do so much to bring communities together, and MRWA is proud to be part of something that helps them grow, thrive, and make a real difference where it matters most.”

Not-for-profit groups, charities, and community organisations operating in the eligible areas are encouraged to apply for funding.

The deadline for 2025 applications is Friday 25 July 2025.

Those interested in applying are invited to attend an Open Day on Wednesday 25 June 2025, where they can meet the team, ask questions, and get guidance on submitting a strong application.

Further information, application guidance, and stories from last year’s recipients can be found at:
www.suezmerseyside.co.uk/kirkbyfund

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About SUEZ recycling and recovery UK
SUEZ recycling and recovery UK employs more than 7000 people, operating across hundreds of sites, and handles approximately 11 million tonnes of waste materials every year – a significant proportion of the UK’s total waste. Through collection, treatment, recycling and logistics operations, it serves more than 30,000 business customers and millions of householders throughout the country. Please visit https://www.suez.co.uk to find out more.

Contacts:

Samantha Carty
Email: samantha.carty@suez.com
Mobile : 07870540576

An investment of £165,000 from the Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 will enable twelve community groups in the Liverpool City Region to spearhead efforts in waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.

This funding, a partnership between Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and Veolia, will fuel grassroots initiatives designed to foster sustainable habits among local residents.

Earlier this year the organisations had to bid for the funding which will give them the financial support to deliver waste-reducing behavioural change projects across the region.

The successful projects encompass diverse activities like educational workshops for schools, electrical repair hubs, food waste reduction cookery classes, clothes and textile upcycling, furniture restoration, and community food growing and composting schemes.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of MRWA, praised the initiative, saying:

“The Community Fund is instrumental in enabling local groups to become environmental leaders, ultimately contributing to a healthier region. It’s heartening to see a growing appreciation for the value of our natural resources. The inspiring and diverse ideas presented this year made for a tough selection, highlighting the dedication within our communities. We know these projects have the potential to create lasting change and embed positive habits.

 

“We wish them all the very best and eagerly await the results of their hard work.”

Project applications had to tackle one or more of the five priority household waste materials which have been identified by MRWA as key, namely Food, Furniture, Electricals, Plastics and Textiles.

An analysis* of waste in the Liverpool City Region highlighted that a greater amount of these materials could be reused or recycled.

One project which previously received funding in 2024/25 is the youth-led initiative Feed the Need, supported by Vibe UK, who have been running food waste reduction and educational programmes for young people thanks to the Community Fund (picture below).

 

Helen McGorrin, Area Manager of Vibe UK, said:

“We were honoured to support our young people from St Helens Youth Council to lead on this project, using the Community Fund to give young people the knowledge, tools and confidence to make informed decisions when it comes to reducing their food waste. The project has helped young people better understand the role they play and how they can support their families and the wider community to reduce food waste.

 

“The funding helped us to run peer led workshops, create an educational video and challenge book, and strengthened relationships in the community. We rescued and redistributed food and shared resources including shopping lists, meal planning sheets and reusable containers as physical ways to support people to make improvements by careful planning to reduce overspending/shopping and utilising leftovers. This is really embedding generational change in young people that will stay with them for many years beyond the project.”

The twelve successful 2025/26 Zero Waste Community Fund organisations have got until March 2026 to deliver their projects. More information about each project is included below.

*Statistic from Merseyside and Halton Waste Composition Analysis 2021/22

Organisation and Project	Material focus	Project Summary
The County of Merseyside Guide Association                                           Guiding towards Food Waste Zero	Food and Plastic	A collaboration between the Guiding Association and a food skills expert – training Guide and Brownie Leaders across Merseyside in practical skills like reducing food waste through improved cooking, growing food, and composting, aiming to influence positive changes at home.
D HUB 67 C.I.C.  Full Circle Project	Food, Plastic, and Textiles	The project will establish a community garden to grow food and enhance biodiversity. This produce will then be used to showcase cooking skills in creative and healthy meals, while also demonstrating proper food storage and preservation methods. Additionally, community swap events for textiles will be organised, with any surplus materials being repurposed and repaired into useful items.
Earth Moves     Earth Moves	Food	The project will actively involve local people through hands-on workshops and the creation of a Hügelkultur bed using organic waste. This process will be carefully documented, and accessible resources will be developed to inspire and enable local schools, community members, and environmental groups to replicate this sustainable gardening technique.
Faiths4Change      Transforming Throwaways to Treasures	Food, Plastic, and Textiles	This project contributes to the region’s climate change strategy by facilitating practical sustainable activities, notably reuse and repair workshops tailored for young adults. A final event will be held to disseminate the project’s findings and explore potential avenues for building upon its successes.
Friends of Bowring Park                                        Reclaim & Sustain Project	Food, Textiles, and Electricals	Building on the success of the previous ‘Fix-it’ pilot, this project will scale up and replicate its model across various Liverpool communities, employing diverse approaches to repair and reuse. Activities will include a range of workshops focusing on food waste prevention, bike repair, clothing reuse and repair, and electrical item repairs, alongside awareness campaigns and accessible resources. These efforts will be supported by a Fix-it Festival and a Zero Waste celebration, showcasing repair activities and offering drop-in repair services.
Friends of South Park Let’s Grow! Not Throw!	Food, Furniture, and Plastic	The project will foster skills development and create employment opportunities for the local community and volunteers through practical training in woodwork, cooking, upcycling, and community composting & gardening.
Forum Creative   Enterprise Charity      Waste to Taste	Food and Plastic	This initiative will empower young adults in Liverpool who have been homeless by equipping them with crucial independent living skills, including practical cooking abilities, knowledge of balanced nutrition and food management, and valuable skills in composting and growing their own food.
Groundwork Merseyside      Mint Meals, Minus Waste	Food	This project, in partnership with South Liverpool Homes, will take a practical and community-oriented approach to improving food-related skills. Through workshops and shared resources, residents will learn about smart shopping, effective planning, optimal food storage, healthy cooking, appropriate portioning, and inventive ways to use leftovers. Community composting will also be a key element.
Hazelhurst Studios   Runcorn Repair Cafe	Furniture, Plastic, Textiles, and Electricals	The project will establish a monthly repair café and a community PAT testing service, empowering local residents with practical repair skills through guidance from local specialists. A media campaign will raise awareness and reinforce key messages. The project will culminate in a community event showcasing its successes and facilitating future planning.
Squash Liverpool CIC                                          TREASURE – Food and Textiles for Real	Food and Textiles	Empowering young adults to make informed choices about fast food and fashion, this educational program will cultivate skills in growing, cooking, managing, and preserving food. It will also teach valuable techniques for clothing repair and reuse. Learning will be brought to life through interactive training workshops, impactful large-scale community events across Liverpool City Region, and enriching visits to local community projects.
Syrian British Cultural Centre CIC                                        From Waste to Creativity: Empowering Communities through Recycling and Innovation	Food, Furniture, Textiles, and Electricals	This project will champion responsible waste management throughout the Liverpool City Region, engaging schools and community centres. Key activities include an Eco Innovation Lab, a Recycle & Repair Programme, a Green Entrepreneurship Academy, and impactful events designed to foster lasting behavioural change. The project aims to significantly reduce textile waste through repair and reuse workshops, extend the lifespan of furniture and electrical appliances via refurbishment initiatives, educate communities on effective food waste reduction techniques, and promote the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives.
Willowbrook Hospice Willowbrook Waste to Community Uses Challenge	Furniture, Textiles, and Electricals	This initiative will offer opportunities for repairing, repurposing, and reselling items through Fix-it cafes, mending, repair, and upcycling workshops, and clothes swapping events specifically for hospice patients and their families in Liverpool. The project will also train volunteers in repair skills and host engaging competitions, culminating in a public Re-Fashion show.

Sustainable Starts CIC, a not-for-profit organisation in Liverpool, has successfully launched a series of initiatives aimed at making sustainable living affordable and attainable for families, thanks to £8,000 in funding from the Zero Waste Community Fund 2024/25.

The project, which launched in summer 2024, has made significant strides in reducing waste and fostering a supportive, well-connected community. The funding has enabled Sustainable Starts CIC to deliver a range of impactful services, including:

Quarterly Clothes Swap Events: Promoting reuse and reducing textile waste.
A Growing Toy Library: Providing access to toys and reducing the need for new purchases.
Weekly Playgroups for Toddlers: Creating a space for families to connect and learn.
A Cloth Nappy Lending Library: Reducing disposable nappy waste and offering an eco-friendly alternative.
Monthly Cloth Nappy Library Workshops: Providing education and support for using cloth nappies.

Anna Martin, Chairperson of Sustainable Starts CIC, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are absolutely thrilled with the impact this project has had on local families. It means so much to our team to see the community coming together and embracing sustainable living. The funding from the Zero Waste Community Fund has been instrumental in making our vision a reality, and we are excited to continue building a more sustainable future for Liverpool.”

This month the project will reach a significant milestone with the opening of a permanent venue for its toy library at Queen’s Dock Business Centre in Liverpool’s vibrant Baltic Triangle. This dedicated space will further enhance the accessibility and impact of the toy library.

The Zero Waste Community Fund, delivered by Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority and Veolia, aims to increase reuse, recycling, and sustainability across the region. Sustainable Starts CIC’s work directly contributes to this goal by promoting a circular economy and cutting waste levels.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, said: “We are delighted to see the success of Sustainable Starts CIC’s project. It’s fantastic to see how this funding is helping to cut waste and save families money. These initiatives are making a real difference in our community, and we are proud to support them.”

The project’s focus on lending libraries is a key component of its success, as these initiatives directly prevent the creation of waste, a crucial element in building a circular economy. By providing access to reusable items, Sustainable Starts CIC is empowering families to make sustainable choices while reducing their environmental footprint.

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Notes to editors:

Attached image captions: Sustainable Starts CIC parent toddler events in Liverpool

About Sustainable Starts CIC:

Sustainable Starts CIC is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Liverpool, dedicated to promoting sustainable living and supporting families. Through a range of initiatives, they aim to make sustainable practices accessible and affordable for all.

About Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority:

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the management of household waste in Merseyside and Halton. They are committed to promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling through a variety of initiatives, including the Zero Waste Community Fund.

A recent survey conducted ahead of Liverpool City Region’s Repair Week 2025 has uncovered that residents spent an average of £459.51 per person replacing damaged or broken items they believe could have been repaired over the past year. This figure represents a staggering £185 million[1] based on a sample of Liverpool residents, highlighting significant potential planet and money savings to be made through learning to repair rather than throwing away and replacing.

Liverpool City Region Repair Week 2025, running from Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th March, aims to address these issues with numerous events planned across the city – many of them free. Workshops will cover a range of skills, from mending clothing and fixing electronics to repairing furniture and bicycles.

What’s more beyond practical, money-saving skills, repair workshops offer social benefits; 69% of sampled residents surveyed agree that these workshops provide excellent opportunities to meet new people and build friendships in their neighbourhood. In fact, 57% report having made friends at a Repair Workshop.

Key survey findings[2]:

• • 67% of sampled residents are concerned about the cost of replacing broken items in the coming year

• • 73% would prefer to repair items themselves if they knew how

• • 78% expressed interest in learning repair skills to save money

• • The most commonly discarded items without checking for repair options are: clothing (42%), toys (40%) and shoes (38%)

Despite these concerns, the survey reveals a growing appetite for repair culture in Liverpool:

• • 66% of residents enjoy repairing items with others and want to learn more

• • 70% would attend more repair events if they were available locally

• • 77% report a sense of achievement from repairing things

When surveyed about their most repaired items, clothes, bikes, and items with sentimental value topped the list. For example:

“I have repaired my clothes and shoes so many times. Most of my clothes are years old. It’s hard to say which ones are the oldest at the moment, but I have a fleece I bought in 1999 which I wore for 20 years and now my daughter wears.”   “A patchwork quilt that has been repaired and added to for many years. I can trace it back to my great-grandmother (my mother was orphaned, so we’re not sure how far back it was started).”   “The same dog toy. I have sewn it back together multiple times because the dog tears it apart, but it’s his favourite toy. When we replaced it with the exact same toy, he wasn’t interested; he still wanted the old destroyed one.”

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) said:

 “Liverpool City Region Repair Week is about empowering people to extend the life of their possessions, save money, reduce waste, and build their community. Whether you’re motivated by financial savings, environmental concerns, or simply want to learn a new skill and meet new people, there’s something for everyone at this year’s event.”

The Liverpool City Region Repair Week Showcase and Launch Event, which will be hosted at DoES Liverpool, is just one of many events included in a busy schedule. Several listed events are free to attend, with some requiring advance booking. For a comprehensive list of events, repair hacks, and a directory of professional repair services, visit https://www.zerowastelcr.com/repair-week-2025/.

By participating in Liverpool City Region Repair Week, residents can join a growing movement of conscious consumers, potentially saving hundreds of pounds while contributing to a more sustainable future for the city.

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[1]  Extrapolations of the data to represent the whole of Liverpool for value of damaged or broken item(s) which could have been repaired. The survey data was weighted to ONS Mid-Year population estimates, 2022, 18 + population figures for Liverpool.

[2] All survey figures obtained from combining answer options “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”

Friendly weekly Upcycling group at Calderstones Park is looking for new members, launching a Saturday group and appealing for furniture donations.

The Reader’s dedicated community Upcycling Group, which has been running for more than five years, is looking to expand and is offering free workshops for members. Two friendly and open weekly volunteer group sessions committed to restoring or ‘upcycling’ furniture and other items meet every Friday at The Coach House – one of the Liverpool charity’s spaces in Calderstones Park, in the same courtyard as the Ice Cream Parlour and The Storybarn.

They take place between 10am-1pm; and 1-4pm. Thanks to new funding from Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) the Upcycling group is able to offer three free workshops for volunteer upcyclers in January and February. Designer and upcycler Nicky Cash, who runs Done Up North, a Wirral-based upcycling business, and has appeared on the BBC’s flagship upcycling programme, Money for Nothing, as an artisan, will be leading workshops on Wood Revival and Restoration; Upholstery skills and Metallic design.

Lesley Worswick, Chief Executive of Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA), said: “This is an outstanding project, and I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in its successful delivery. By empowering people with the skills to repair and refurbish items, this initiative promotes a circular economy by reducing waste and unnecessary consumption. “The workshops are inspiring, demonstrating the value of keeping usable furniture out of the waste stream and ensuring it continues to serve its purpose within our communities. I strongly encourage the development of similar initiatives that divert valuable furniture from the waste stream and ensure it continues to serve its purpose within our communities.”

The Upcycling Group is also looking for new members on a Friday, as well as announcing plans to establish a second group on a Saturday, with thanks to further funding from Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority and launching an appeal for furniture donations which could be upcycled. No upcycling experience is required by anyone interested in joining the group, and the group has projects ready to be worked on. It receives support from volunteer leads and members of staff from The Reader, who will train members to use equipment when necessary.

Mary Crotty, Engagement Manager at The Reader, the UK’s largest Shared Reading charity, which runs more than 490 shared reading groups across the Liverpool City Region and rest of the UK, said: “Our Upcycling Group is a friendly and dedicated community of volunteers. The drop-in group – which has morning and afternoon sessions – is incredibly welcoming and keen to get stuck into new projects and ideas.

“They add such a unique string to our bow of community wellbeing groups. I’d strongly encourage all who are curious to get in touch and have a go.”

Members of the group restore second hand, antique or vintage wooden furniture by sanding, re-varnishing, waxing or painting. They make repairs as needed, upholster and re-purpose older pieces of furniture or household items. Projects can vary from turning an armchair, an old bike and standard lamp into a pedal-powered reading-light-chair for children in The Storybarn to repurposing bookcases and picture frames.

An upcycled piece of furniture can be returned to the owner, sold to raise funds towards The Reader’s charity work, created for use within the charity or sold to partner organisations, such as housing associations at a discounted rate, ensuring furniture goes to go to those most in need.

• Anyone who has a potential item they would like to donate should programmes@thereader.org.uk including a photograph of the piece. Furniture may be in need of minor repairs. The group is unable to collect furniture from people’s homes.

• Anyone who would like to join the upcycling group or like some more information can email Mary at programmes@thereader.org.uk

CASESTUDY (with photo of Hilda Kiernan)

Hilda Kiernan, from the Wirral, came to attend a Shared Reading group at The Reader after the pandemic around three years ago and ended up joining the charity’s community Upcycling Group. A creative and former medical secretary, she has a degree in fine art and literature while also volunteers for Heart4Refugees on the Wirral, running art therapy for Syrian refugees.

She said: “I am very much into recycling and upcycling. It is so satisfying to create something new out of something which would have been thrown away.

“I did up a couple of piano stools and am currently sanding down a rocking chair – what I like about that is being in the fresh air of the park surroundings, chatting to the dog walkers. It’s very rewarding especially when someone likes what you’ve made and buys it.

“It’s lovely to see creativity around you and we are guided and supported by The Reader’s Operations and Facilities team.

“There are half a dozen of us in the Friday morning group and they are all absolutely lovely people. We are a mixed group from all walks of life but everyone is welcome. Outside of the group we have a meet up lunch and over Christmas both groups we all went to a pub for a Christmas lunch together which was great. “We’re all looking forward to the upcoming workshops.”

Community groups in the Liverpool City Region are invited to apply for a share of £165,000 to support innovative projects that reduce waste and promote a greener future.

The Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 – managed by Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority and Veolia – provides funding for community and voluntary groups, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations to implement projects that minimise household waste, maximise recycling and resource reuse, and mitigate carbon emissions.

Grants of up to £30,000 are available for projects that benefit at least four districts within the City Region, while grants between £1,000 and £8,000 are available for projects focused on a single local authority area.

Councillor Catie Page, Chairperson of Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA), emphasised the vital role of community groups: “We deeply value our partnerships with the region’s dedicated community groups. They are the heart of our communities, actively working to create a positive environmental impact. By empowering these groups to address local waste challenges, we not only benefit the environment but also foster a greater appreciation for resources and the value of reducing waste.”

Bids must tackle one or more of the five priority household waste materials which have been identified by MRWA as key, namely WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment), Food, Textiles, Plastics and Furniture. An analysis* of waste in the region highlighted that a greater amount of these materials could be re-used or recycled. Projects can also include other household waste materials, for example paper or metals.

Previous Community Fund projects have included local recycling guidebooks, lending libraries, repair cafes, cookery clubs to support healthy eating and reduce food waste, fruit and veg gleaning, restoring old furniture to sell for charity and refurbishing unwanted rugs for resale.

One organisation to have previously received funding is Wirral Environmental Network (WEN), who were awarded £6300 for their Clothes Swap Cafes project, which aimed to reduce textiles waste through clothes swap events, sewing and repair workshops, and educational activities.

Naomi Graham, project co-ordinator at WEN, said the Zero Waste Community Fund Clothes Swap Cafe project has helped people across Wirral to take a more sustainable approach to fashion:

“We have enjoyed getting to know the people who have attended our Sustainable Fashion workshops and volunteered at the Clothes Swaps. Through the workshops, we had discussions about the environmental costs of fast fashion, chatted about how to make greener clothing choices, and then upcycled unwanted clothes and fabric into items such as bags and hair scrunchies.

“The success of the Clothes Swaps and workshops has encouraged some of the venues to hold more swapping events and think about ways they can provide support for reducing textile waste within their communities.”

Interested groups can apply to the 2025/26 Community Fund via www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/zero-waste-community-fund/

The deadline for submissions is 11.59pm on Sunday 9th March 2025.

Successful projects should receive the funding by mid-April 2025 and will have to deliver their schemes by March 2026.

Organisations interested in this year’s Community Fund can:

• • Apply online at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk

• • Contact the Authority: Community.fund@merseysidewda.gov.uk

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: Sunday 9th March 2025, 11.59pm

ENDS

Note to editors

*Statistic from Merseyside and Halton Waste Composition Analysis 2021/22

Image captions: Attached images show Wirral Environmental Network Clothes Swap Café events.

• • The £165,000 comes from the Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26, which has been running annually since 2006.

• • The impact of the 2022/23 Fund saw 13 projects stop 467 tonnes of materials from going to waste, held 731 events and training sessions, and engaged with over 16,000 people across the Liverpool City Region.

• • The Zero Waste Community Fund is open to community and voluntary sector groups, faith groups, not for profit social enterprises and schools in Merseyside and Halton.

• • Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the disposal of municipal waste on Merseyside. Established in 1986 following the abolition of Merseyside County Council, it is a statutory Authority that works with all the local authorities on Merseyside – Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. MRWA takes a lead in advocating recycling, waste minimisation and safe and effective disposal of waste for Merseyside residents.

A local, green-fingered group have secured funding to help grow food and cut waste – all from their community garden in a Bootle park.

Friends of South Park in Bootle, Sefton, have received £7985 from the Zero Waste Community Fund 2024/25 to deliver the Compost Creators! project. The Fund supports local waste prevention, reuse and recycling initiatives and is managed by Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and Veolia.

The food-waste fighting Compost Creators! project will see household kitchen and food waste taken to South Park on Balliol Road (pic below) for composting. The group will deliver food skills and cooking sessions to local residents, who will also take part in food gleaning and seed saving.

Chairperson of Friends of South Park, Nick Karstens, said: “The funding is allowing our project to engage people into thinking differently about types of waste and how they can reuse, recycle, donate or share food they may have at home, creating and contributing to a circular economy on their doorstep. We want to introduce participants to the concepts and methods of preventing food waste and composting and to encourage small changes to daily routines that will contribute to long term positive changes in household waste management.”

The funding will help the project to train new volunteers, giving them knowledge about where food comes from, learning different ways to cook, preserving foods, increase the reuse of containers to store food, and how to recycle food waste through garden composting.

Friends of South Park have just hosted The Great Pumpkin Smash Day for families and the local community (Sat 2nd Nov – pic top) where they encouraged people to bring their carved Halloween pumpkins for composting. For intact pumpkins there was a cooking demo and tasting, to show how to cook and eat leftover pumpkins. Another open day in August attracted 30 families who took part in upcycling craft activities and harvested and cooked food ‘on the spot’ whilst in the garden.

For the eight month long project, Friends of South Park hope to:

– deliver 27 weekly drop-in sessions at the South Park Community Garden

– host two community events (one general food waste/recycling event, one an celebratory end of project community meal for 30 people)

– recruit 20 local households for involvement in community composting

– help 15 people to attend a veggie glean/forage in partnership with the South Sefton Foodbank

– engage with over 400 people

Nick Karstens continued: “We have made a big effort to include families and children as a target audience alongside our volunteers and individuals, to build a future culture of responsibility for waste. By the end of Compost Creators! we hope those involved will be eating a more balanced diet, will have confidence in teaching others about composting and recycling, and will have reduced the amount of food waste they were previously creating.”

Councillor Catie Page, Chairperson of MRWA, said: “We are delighted to support this project. The facts show that on average we throw away an estimated 122,000 tonnes of food every year on Merseyside – that’s almost a third of the average general household waste bin. That includes millions of loaves of bread and litres of milk.

“Food waste is a big issue with significant environmental effects. Projects like Compost Creators can help people to recognise the impact of wasted food and hopefully save households money on grocery bills.”

ENDS

• Image captions: Photographs from The Great Pumpkin Smash Day (Sat 2nd Nov) at South Park, Bootle, Merseyside.
• Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is responsible for the disposal of municipal waste on Merseyside. Established in 1986 following the abolition of Merseyside County Council, it is a statutory Authority that works with all the local authorities on Merseyside – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. MRWA takes a lead in advocating recycling, waste prevention and safe and effective disposal of waste for Merseyside residents.
• The MRWA and Veolia Community Fund 2024/25 has seen 16 community groups from Merseyside and Halton receive a funding boost to help make the region a cleaner and greener place. The financial support will see the groups help reduce household waste, encourage recycling and resource re-use, and prevent carbon emissions. Funding total is £165,000.00.