Edventure Frome, a leader in community-led initiatives, is excited to be working on a new project to develop a D.I.Y Materials Shop in Frome. The team are now inviting the community to suggest potential locations to trial the new venture. The shop aims to sell high quality, surplus D.I.Y materials to members of the public, turning potential waste which often ends up in recycling centres into valuable community resources.  

Over the past few weeks, Edventure has been supporting a team of adult learners working on the project as part of their Incubation Course, which teaches social enterprise skills using a learning by doing approach. The course guides participants through the process of designing, building, and piloting a real social enterprise that makes a positive local impact to the community.

The D.I.Y Shop will stock surplus building materials and home accessories at a reduced price, with materials sourced from the surplus of local building companies, D.I.Y stores, and members of the community.  It will also support the community by teaching D.I.Y skills and promoting repairs.

"The D.I.Y Materials Shop is not just about reducing waste; it's about rethinking how we use resources and providing practical solutions that can sustain our community," said Sam Evans, Co-Executive Director of Edventure Frome. "This initiative will help reduce the influx of useable materials to recycling centres, while also providing an additional income stream to support the ongoing community work of Edventure."

To bring this vision to life, Edventure Frome is asking if there are any local businesses or community members who can offer a secure, covered space approximately four by eight meters in size or larger, with parking, for a trial run of the shop.  This space will be used in late June to test the concept over a weekend, or for longer if possible. 

"We are looking for community partners who share our vision for a sustainable future and can provide a space where we can pilot this exciting project," Sam Evans added. "This is a fantastic opportunity for local property owners to engage in a community-focused initiative that has the potential to make a significant impact."

If you have a space that could host the D.I.Y Materials Shop, or if you would like to get involved in other ways, please contact Colin at [email protected] for more details.

Edventure Frome is a non-profit community interest company, that initiates and supports social enterprises and community action groups that make a positive impact locally. Edventure has incubated many local initiatives, such as the Community Fridge (2016), the Share Shop, and Loop Frome composting, and is a partner in Green and Healthy Frome. Their work has been recognised nationally for its positive impact, inspiring other places to take similar approaches.