Autumn 2026 Newsletter
Welcome to the Autumn 2026 Edition of the Charnwood Eco Hub Newsletter!
What a few months it’s been at Charnwood Eco Hub! As the seasons change, we’re excited to be settling into our new home in Baxtergate. Our new premises are giving us more space to share, make, learn and connect, and we’re looking forward to seeing the Hub grow into an even bigger part of our local community.
We’ve also had some wonderful recognition for the work happening here, having been named finalists in the BBC Make a Difference Awards! It’s a real honour to have the Hub and the people who make it happen recognised in this way – and we couldn’t have got here without our amazing volunteers, workshop leaders, members and everyone who supports what we do.
And there’s plenty happening over the coming months. Our autumn and winter workshop programme is now taking shape, with lots of opportunities to learn new skills, get creative, make something useful from reclaimed materials and spend time with other like-minded people. From cosy seasonal crafts and upcycling to practical making sessions, there’s something for all ages and abilities. So grab a cuppa, have a browse through what’s coming up, and we hope to see you at the Hub soon!
WE’VE MOVED!
It’s hard to believe we’ve now been open at Charnwood Eco Hub, 7–8 Baxter Gate, Loughborough for six weeks!
Since opening our doors, we’ve been busy settling in, meeting new people and building on everything we love about the Hub - and there’s lots more to come. Come and say hello! Whether you’ve visited us before or you’re completely new to Charnwood Eco Hub, we’d love to welcome you.
- Explore our Scrapstore, or browse our Library of Things
- Discover our sustainable cleaning and personal hygiene products
- Find out about our workshops and courses
- Find out how you can volunteer and get involved
- Meet the team and find out more about what we’re working on
Our new central location is giving us lots of opportunities to develop new activities, reach more people and create a real community space for sharing, learning and sustainable living. Come in, have a look around and see what’s happening!
7–8 Baxter Gate, Loughborough, LE11 1TG
Find out more about what we offer and upcoming events by checking out our workshops and events page or signing up to our newsletter.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
BBC Make A Difference Awards
We were absolutely delighted to be named finalists in the Environmental category of the BBC Radio Leicester Make a Difference Awards this year!
It was a real privilege to attend the awards ceremony and celebrate alongside so many amazing people and community organisations from across Leicestershire and Rutland.
What really stood out to us was the incredible range of things people are doing to make a difference - from supporting vulnerable people and strengthening communities, to protecting our environment, tackling inequality, inspiring young people and so much more.
Being surrounded by people who are giving their time, energy and ideas to make their communities better was a brilliant reminder of just how much fantastic work happens locally, often quietly and without much recognition.
We’re incredibly proud to have been recognised as finalists for the work our team is doing through Charnwood Eco Hub - reducing waste, sharing resources, encouraging sustainable living and creating opportunities for people to get involved in their community.
A huge congratulations to all the finalists, winners and everyone nominated. And thank you to BBC Radio Leicester for shining a light on the wonderful people and organisations making a difference across our region.
We’re proud to be part of it.
Carbon Literacy Training
Transition Loughborough, one of the groups who organised the People’s Emergency Briefing, is in the process of applying for funding to run some Carbon Literacy courses in early 2027. If you’re interested please fill out this short form.
Carbon Literacy is a days’ worth of learning about climate change. We would be using a version of Carbon Literacy specifically designed for those involved in their communities. This idea has come about because it was mentioned on the flipcharts at the People’s Emergency Briefing.
If you might be interested in attending a course (assuming Transition Loughborough are successful in getting funding) please fill out this short form
Filling out the form does not commit you to attending a course. It will help Transition Loughborough to know how much interest there is likely to be and how many times they should look to run the course.
Many Thanks
Caroline on behalf of the Loughborough Climate Vigil
Autumn/Winter Workshop Updates
Our autumn and winter programme is packed with opportunities to learn, make and get creative at the Hub, with workshops taking place on most Saturdays throughout the season.
There’s a wide variety to choose from, including creative crafts, upcycling, sustainable making and special workshops for children, so there should be something for everyone. Many of our workshops make use of materials from our Scrapstore, giving unwanted and surplus materials a new lease of life while keeping the cost and environmental impact down.
We also want our workshops to be accessible and affordable. Sessions are £15 per person, or just £10 for Hub members, students and people on a low income. Your workshop fee supports our facilitators and helps us continue providing activities and resources for the local community. We operate as a non-profit and are run mostly by volunteers.
Whether you want to try a completely new skill, make something useful, meet other creative people or simply spend a Saturday doing something a little different, come and join us at the Hub! Check out our upcoming workshops here. If you’re interested in running a workshop with us, please do get in touch, we’re always interested in new ideas!
Leicester Co-Operative Grocery
We’re excited to see SPRoUT, a new worker-owned grocery project taking root in Leicester.
SPRoUT is being developed as a different kind of food shop – one focused on good-quality, everyday ingredients at fair prices, with sustainability and co-operative ownership at its heart. The planned shop will stock staples such as rice, pasta, oats, pulses, flour, oils, herbs and spices, alongside fresh fruit and vegetables and ecological household products. Wherever possible, products will be available loose, helping customers reduce packaging and buy exactly what they need.
The shop will be owned and run by its workers, with one member, one vote. Rather than profits going to outside shareholders, any surplus will be reinvested into the business, helping to keep food affordable and support the people who work there. SPRoUT is inspired in part by the long-running Unicorn Grocery in Manchester.
The project is currently looking for suitable premises in Leicester of around 300 square metres or more. The team has already developed its business model, sourcing principles and ethical charter, and is now working on premises, funding and building its founding worker-member group. There is no confirmed opening date yet.
We love the idea of another local project making sustainable, low-waste choices more accessible and helping to build a stronger local food economy. It’s definitely one to watch!
You can find out more about SPRoUT and follow the project’s progress at sprout-grocery.co.uk
The Fix It Group 23 Turns 3
You’re Invited!
This October, The Fix It Group 23 will be celebrating three years of our Repair Café, and we’re delighted that our anniversary event also falls on International Repair Day on Saturday 17th October.
To mark the occasion, we’d love to invite you to join us for part (or all!) of the day. Come along for a slice of cake, a cuppa and a chat with fellow repair enthusiasts about all things repair, reuse and sustainability.
If you’ve got something at home that’s in need of some TLC, feel free to bring it along too – our fantastic volunteer repairers will be on hand to see if they can give it a new lease of life.
Since opening our doors in October 2023, we’ve welcomed 1,670 items through our Repair Cafés. Around 70% have been successfully repaired, helping to keep an estimated 2.2 tonnes of household items out of landfill. Along the way we’ve built an amazing team of volunteers, shared skills, saved people money and shown just how much can be achieved when a community comes together to repair rather than replace.
This year also marks the 10th International Repair Day, making it an even more special occasion. We’re pleased that our local MP, Peter Bedford, will be joining us. Peter recently signed the Repair and Reuse Declaration following a visit from members of our committee, demonstrating his support for extending the life of products, reducing waste and promoting the Right to Repair.
We’ll also be welcoming other Repair Cafés, community organisations and local environmental groups, and we hope the day will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everything that repair represents—sharing skills, reducing waste, protecting our environment and bringing communities together.
The event will take place from 10:00am until 1:00pm, Saturday 17th October, at MMC Venue, 105 Leicester Road, Mountsorrel.
What’s On
October
Fri 3rd October, 11AM-12PM or 12PM-1PM
Upcycled Terrarium Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Weds 7th October, 6PM-8PM
Diya Decorating Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sat 10th October, 11AM-1PM
Inner Tube Jewellery Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sat 10th October, 9.30AM-12.30PM
WHEPF Repair Cafe
Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall
LE12 8RZ
Sun 11th October, 10AM-4PM
Eco Hub Stall, Freshers Market
Loughborough Marketplace
LE11 3EB
Sat 17th October, 11AM-1PM
Granny Square Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sat 17th October, 10AM-1PM
The Fixit Group 23 - 3rd Anniversary
Mountsorrel Memorial Centre
LE12 7DB
Mon 19th October, 7.30PM-10PM
The Bradgate Arms Repair Cafe
Bradgate Arms
LE7 7HG
Sat 24th October, 11AM-1PM
Rag Rug Taster Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Wed 28th October, 5PM-7PM
Sari Fabric Flower Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sat 31st October, 11AM-1PM
Kid’s Halloween Macrame Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sat 31st October, 9.30AM-12PM
Transition Repair Cafe
Fearon Hall
LE11 1PL
November
Sat 7th November, 11AM-1PM
Paper Christmas Decorations Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sun 8th November, 10AM-1PM
The Fix It Group 23 Repair Cafe
Mountsorrel Memorial Centre
LE12 7DB
Sat 10th November, 7PM-8.30PM
WHEP People’s Emergency Briefing Screening
Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall
LE12 8RZ
Sat 14th November, 11AM-1PM
MorsBag Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Mon 16th November, 7.30PM-10PM
The Bradgate Arms Repair Cafe
Bradgate Arms
LE7 7HG
Wed 18th November, 4.30PM-6.30PM
Handmade Bookmaking Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sun 22nd November, 10AM-4PM
Eco Hub Stall, Artisan Market
Loughborough Marketplace
LE11 3EB
Fri 27th November, 4PM-6PM
Rag Wreath Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sat 28th November, 11AM-1PM
Slow Stitched Journal Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
December
Sat 5th December, 11AM-1PM
Rag Wreath Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sun 6th December, 10AM-1PM
The Fix It Group 23 Repair Cafe
Mountsorrel Memorial Centre
LE12 7DB
Sat 12th December, 11AM-1PM
Christmas Gnome Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Wed 16th December, 5.30PM-7.30PM
Sari Necklace Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Sat 19th December, 11AM-1PM
Pine Cone Elf Workshop
Charnwood Eco Hub
LE11 1TG
Where to find us
Opening Hours:
Monday: 2-6pm
Wednesday: 4-8pm
Thursday: 10am-2pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm
Address: 7–8 Baxter Gate, Loughborough LE11 1TG
Website: charnwoodecohub.org
Email: info@charnwoodecohub.org
Phone: 01509 447075
