At Curiouser we are proud to be part of Edinburgh's independent business scene. That is why we've decided to showcase some inspiring initiatives in our blog. It is a pleasure to introduce some engaging & socially minded businesses, charities & organisations to our readers. Today we invite you to get to know The Edinburgh Remakery: a social enterprise promoting a sustainable, zero waste culture that is based in the heart of Leith. We spoke with Stephanie Bowring - information & marketing officer at the Remakery. Here is what she said.
Tell us a little bit about yourself & the ethos behind your brand
I’m Stephanie, Marketing Officer and Workshop Coordinator at the Edinburgh Remakery where I’ve been working for around 18 months. The Edinburgh Remakery is a really inspiring place. Our mission is to create an inclusive, zero waste society by making repair and reuse skills accessible and affordable, promoting sustainability and campaigning for products to be built to last. And we want to do this in a way which is not only informative, but also engaging, creative, and fun. There are so many different aspects to what the Remakery has to offer that there is always something to engage everyone, no matter what their interests.
People can come along to one of our workshops in furniture upcycling, restoration, and repair, or sewing and textiles, and learn a new, valuable and creative skill for an afternoon. They can book a one-to-one appointment with our IT technicians and learn to take apart and repair their own laptop, phone, or tablet. They can pop into the shop and see what upcycled, vintage, and modern furniture and IT equipment we have for sale, and grab themselves a bargain, or hire out our workbench space and work on their own furniture, woodwork and sewing projects.
What do you like most about your job?
I’ve always been a passionate advocate for minimising waste and preventing damage to our environment, as well as working for social change, and have also always been drawn to roles that have some aspect of creativity to them. It’s amazing to work for a social enterprise that combines all of these, puts the community and the environment first, and is so focused on bringing people together to promote positive change.
Our recent campaign to provide free laptops to refugees and asylum-seekers entering the UK to help them build a new life in safety is just one example of the projects I’m able to work on to build a stronger community and help vulnerable people, and I love that I have a job that allows me to do this. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know our work makes a real difference to people’s lives.
What do you like about living in Scotland?
Scotland is such a beautiful and inspiring country. Its history, architecture, and amazing landscapes are a daily inspiration – and the people are ridiculously lovely too. I’m originally from the South of England but have lived here for 8 years now, and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Edinburgh, and Leith especially, is a very creative community, so there’s a lot of collaboration that goes on between the different organisations, charities, and social enterprises, and we like to support and help each other as much as we can. It’s a very welcoming and inclusive place to live.
Who is your celebrity crush?
If you’d asked me a few years ago I’d have said Tom Hardy and James McAvoy without hesitation! And whilst that’s still true – and always will be - my recent crushes are more people that inspire me, women such as Malala Yousafzai, Ellen MacArthur, and Emma Watson, and men like David Attenborough and Desmond Tutu, all of whom do amazing work fighting for equality and environmental justice.
What animal would you be in your next life?
Does Jake the Dog from Adventure Time count? If not then a goat; they’re super intelligent, can climb up almost vertical slopes, are always jumping about the place, and scream like a person. Plus they’re adorable! What’s not to love?
Can you share a piece of advice with us?
I’m still learning how this crazy world works for myself, but I’ve discovered recently how important perspective is. It’s so easy to become blinkered and get lost in your own world and stress about small things, whether it’s focused around work or home life. Now, when things are so uncertain in the world, it’s more important than ever to take a step back, breathe, and appreciate what you do have and appreciate the people around you. Only by appreciating one another and respecting the world we are building around us for generations to come, can we ensure we create one that we’re proud of; one that is inclusive, fair, sustainable, and safe. For everyone.
More about The Edinburgh Remakery HERE.