I start writing this blog months ago, and it’s taken me a while to get back to it.
Recreate was hanging by a thread. The funding to run this amazing community asset hadn’t been approved and the committee had decided that if it wasn’t approved - Recreate would close it’s doors - forever.
Started by Faye McGoldrick (who also initiated the Farmer's Market) in partnership with the Natural Resource Centre, Recreate has provided a safe and creative community space that has not only given local artisans a place to sell their wares, but also fostered new talents - from the very young, to the not so young.
The collaborative environment has encouraged creativity and resourcefulness, as well as expanding to host workshops at a reasonable cost to community members.
Recreate volunteers have blossomed and learned new skills. Some who have felt overwhelmed by their circumstances have found a non-judgemental and supportive environment that has given them confidence and a sense of worth. The community at large has benefited as well, by not only having access to a shop that sells beautiful and bespoke handmade goods, but also a large range of organic and natural personal products. The ethos of Recreate is that everything has a purpose, and the circular economy is alive and well there.
The amount of money that Recreate needs to function is paltry, yet every year, Faye and her committee must go cap in hand to governments to score the needed funds. This year, that funding was delayed long past the release date, and Faye and her volunteers (over 70 in number),were making plans to close. Finally the funding came through, but there were more issues to overcome and quite rightly, Faye was been left wondering about the cost she will pay personally to keep Recreate functioning.
A few months down the track and Recreate is open again for business, and I would urge community members to go and support it. Don’t wait.
The favourite buzz phrase for the media to use when describing communities is ‘tight knit’ - now is your chance to show everyone how that works.
