February 2024

On Monday 12th of January, we celebrated the completion of our Empower Training, with an Empower Integration Event and potluck dinner. Over 40 ’empowered mentors’ joined the event, with our usual ‘check-in’, a share from Sophie and a great brainstorming session for future ideas and planning.

Empower was a hands-on training in teaching and leading, for  shared responsibility in leadership, as a non-hierarchical model for resilience. The results have passionately informed how we move forward as an organisation. For more information, check out our YouTube channel.

Here are some quotes people shared when asked the question: CAN YOU TELL US WHAT EMPOWER WAS FOR YOU? 

🤜 “Empower was transformational. Never before have I experienced such vulnerability and passion and kindness.”

🤜 “I see ideas and dreams for the future – amazing ideas and dreams – in action. I think perhaps I underestimated the ripple effect of each tiny act of kindness that I have given and received… Empower reminded me of our potency as individuals and as a collective.”

🤜 “Empower was fun. Empower was social. Empower was being sensitive to others. Empower had a solid, healthy feeling where ‘mistakes’ were taken as learning opportunities and people were thanked for them, not made to feel ashamed.”

🤜 “Empower is a city of wellbeing where in every corner of it you find a safe haven, that holds an energy for all of us which is wholesome and exciting. We uncovered our fears, our excitement and all were received with generosity and care. Aha moments abounded and tears fell. There was laughter alongside embarrassment, and fear alongside courage. We all gained back a piece of ourselves to cherish.”

Meet one of our youngest members of SpaceMakers and one of our newest.

Tahiel has been a Shedding Repairer and SpaceMaker for a few years – and in about 40 minutes completed this ‘under the bench’ trolley all on his own.

Since recently completing Upskill Megan has become a regular at SpaceMakers and is enjoying working on projects that will be utilised with Shedding on the Road.

Our main project has been to create saw horses and table tops to be used on Shedding on the Road. Below is the first completed saw horse being tested by our Spacemaker crew plus the table tops being constructed. 😁

‘Shedding on the Road’ is 6-month pilot project in which we will travel to communities across the Northern Rivers (with our ’empowered mentors’). We will share our hands-on carpentry, building, repair and recovery practices, as an avenue to wellbeing, self-empowerment, resilience, and community connection.

We are presently converting our 7-seater truck into a mobile workshop to host our hands-on-workshops, teacher-training programs, community consultations, and information sessions in flood-affected communities.

‘Shedding on the Road’ will also share the mental health benefits that come from learning, sharing and being involved in trauma-informed inclusive spaces.

We will visit one community each month, starting with Lismore in March! Want to know more? Get in touch, and keep an eye on our social media.

We would like to give our volunteers at Repair Cafe a huge THANK YOU for their time, skill, and enthusiasm! Each week these volunteers contribute their love and passion for restoring items that may otherwise be discarded. Many items come through our doors that also possess a story or sentimental value for the individual. 

At Repair Cafe there is nothing that they won’t have a go at repairing, from an antique bookcase to a big glass-top table. (pictured below). If you have anything that you wonder whether is worthy of repair, come in and let’s collaborate to see what can be done.

You can get in touch with us about our Repair Cafe at through our Repair Cafe Facebook and Instagram.

Regular workshops

UPSKILL
UPSKILL is the place to start your Shedding journey. It’s an introduction to the fundamentals of carpentry and building, and once you’ve done it you can jump into all our other workshops.

Day: 1x Saturday (check the website for dates)
Time: 8.30am-1.00pm
Cost: $50.00 (Can’t afford it? Get in touch)
Book in: Click here

SPACEMAKERS
SPACEMAKERS happens on Fridays and is our free workshop series where you get to collaboratively design and build a range of community projects. It’s such a fun time and a great place to practice your existing tool skills, learn some new ones, and share the joy of supporting each other.

Day: Fridays
Time: 10am-3pm
Cost: By donation
RSVP: To book your spot email us, or just drop by and say hi.

REPAIR CAFE
Join our host of volunteers every Saturday arvo as we passionately share skills to repair all manner of things. You don’t need to be an expert, basically if you can turn a screw driver anti-clockwise you’ve got the skills we need! 

Day: Saturdays
Time: 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: By donation
RSVP: Just drop by and say hi.

MONTHLY POTLUCK DINNERS
On the first Wednesday of each month our Shedding community comes together to share food, conversation and hands-on skills. We’re currently learning knot tying, it’s so much fun! 

Day: First Wednesday of the month
Time: 6pm-9pm
Cost: Bring a dish to share or a donation (recommended $10)
RSVP: Send us an email/facebook message

Can’t wait to get on tools with you!