A new project to create an alternative D.I.Y shop, aimed at transforming waste, promoting repairs, and building community connections, is set to start in Frome this February.

The pop-up store will sell new and pre-loved building materials, home accessories, and decoration supplies, at a fraction of the retail price. 

Materials will be sourced from local D.I.Y stores, tradespeople's leftovers, and anyone who wants to dispose of those 'too good to waste' materials lurking in their garage. The project also aims to host workshops on upcycling and basic D.I.Y skills for all.

Edventure is seeking a new group of individuals to take on this project through its Incubation training course, starting on February 7, 2025.

Open to adults from all backgrounds, the course teaches social enterprise skills by guiding participants through the process of designing, building, and piloting a real social enterprise that makes a positive local impact.

Participants will benefit from a community-based learning model: forming meaningful connections around shared passions, expanding their network, and learning how best to work together to make a real impact.

Participants will explore key questions for the alternative D.I.Y store project, including determining what D.I.Y materials can be salvaged from waste streams, identifying a suitable store location, estimating costs, developing a sustainable business model, and planning effective marketing strategies.

The course will draw on the huge range of reuse activities already happening in Frome, and will be of particular interest to people wanting to learn more about creating value from waste, setting up retail pop-ups and how the circular economy works at a local level.   

This exciting course is now open for enrolment and will be based at the Edventure Hub in Frome. Sessions run on Fridays from February 7 to June 27, 2025, from 9:15 am to 2:45 pm, with additional hours determined by participants.

Edventure's alternative D.I.Y store project will build on Edventure's strong track record of initiating local reuse projects which have had a national impact. These include the UK's first Community Fridge, the Share Library of Things, Loop Frome composting from local commercial food waste, MAKE and Everyone Needs Pockets.

A past course participant reflected on their experience, saying, "I arrived at a moment of change and uncertainty and left feeling confident, empowered, inspired, and with a new network of support for future endeavours."

The Incubation course is open to adults from all backgrounds and locations. Thanks to funding from Somerset Council, it is free for Somerset residents on lower incomes or in priority groups. For others, the course costs £880. If cost is a barrier, Edventure encourages applicants to email [email protected] to explore options.

For more information or to apply, visit edventurefrome.org or email [email protected].