The Joy of Upcycling with Re.Mark

The Joy of Upcycling with Re.Mark

At Age UK Manchester, we believe in sustainability and community. And there’s no better expression of these values than our Re.Mark upcycling project. Re.Mark breathes new life into used textiles and furniture while supporting older people across Manchester.

The project has grown since its inception in 2023 and has helped us to cut textile and furniture waste from donations that we cannot immediately re-sell.

We delighted to play our part in cutting textile and furniture waste. Especially when only 17% of all recyclable furniture is recycled, and nearly half of all textiles in the UK are thrown away.

We’re looking for passionate, skilled volunteers to help us do more!

What is Re.Mark?

Re.Mark is our creative upcycling project where we transform donated textiles and furniture into beautiful, functional pieces. Everything we create is sold to help raise funds for the work we do supporting older people across the city.

It’s a project with purpose—reducing waste, celebrating craftsmanship, and giving back to the community. It’s based at our Didsbury workshop, just round the corner from our Didsbury shop.

Volunteer Opportunities at Re.Mark

We’re currently looking for volunteers with experience in one of the following areas:

Textile & Sewing Volunteers

If you’ve got a flair for fashion, textiles, or sewing, we’d love your help transforming pre-loved fabrics into stylish and functional items. Whether it's repurposing clothes, creating home accessories, or repairing vintage finds, your skills will make a real difference.

You will work with our expert textile upcycler in our homely studio in Didsbury, which is a real hive of creative activity.

This opportunity is ideal for:

• Hobbyist or professional sewers
• Fashion or textile design students
• Anyone with a passion for sustainable fashion

Furniture Upcycling Volunteers

Do you enjoy working with your hands, restoring furniture, or getting creative with paint and woodwork? Our furniture upcycler helps turn tired tables, chairs, and cabinets into one-of-a-kind treasures.

With their support you will transform unloved furniture into beautiful pieces that are truly one-offs.

This opportunity is ideal for:

• DIY enthusiasts
• Painters or carpenters
• Creative individuals

Why Volunteer with Us?

Volunteering with Re.Mark is a chance to:

• Make a positive environmental impact
• Support vital services for older people in Manchester
• Be part of a friendly, creative team
• Learn new skills or share your expertise
• Take pride in making something truly unique

Whether you’re recently retired, looking to build experience, or simply want to use your skills for good, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Get Involved

If Re.Mark is your kind of project, we’d love to hear from you! To find out more or express your interest in volunteering, please e-mail the Re.Mark project manager at: rick.hartley@ageukmanchester.org.uk

Join Re.Mark and help us create something beautiful—for the planet, for the community, and for older people in Manchester who need our support.