So many of us have cupboards and drawers full of laptops, smart phones, and other electronic items that are no longer used. But what to do with them? Bring them along to the Edinburgh Remakery – we’ll repair and refurbish everything we possibly can, giving your old tech a new life and keeping it out of landfill.
Elaine was previously Chief Operating Officer for Bright Green Business – Scotland’s number one provider of Environmental Internships. She worked with businesses throughout Scotland to engage them in circular economy practices and help them to grow their businesses by improving their environmental sustainability. She also brings with her over 23 years experience of project management within a number of local authorities.
Elaine is your first contact to explore how the Edinburgh Remakery can work with you to implement circular economy practices within your community or business. She will be tasked with taking the strategic lead on a range of initiatives. Collaboration is Elaine’s favourite thing so please get in touch to discuss how you can work in partnership with the Edinburgh Remakery today.
Barbara joined us in April 2021 to focus on developing a funding strategy for an environmentally sustainable organisation and delivering our vision of promoting a zero-waste culture that replaces consumerism with creativity, community, and conscious consumption.
Barbara’s background is in Marketing and Business Development. She is a very experienced Bid Manager and Writer and uses these skills to build strong funding cases. Barbara has run successful fundraising campaigns for local schools, raising money to purchase specialist equipment and fund activities for the children. Barbara is always happy to talk about all things funding, especially if it helps people and local communities to develop and thrive.
Asrar joined Edinburgh Remakery as a graduate Intern in November 2022. His job involved managing our Tech Donation Box programme by finding sponsorships and new homes for them across the city and beyond. After successfully completing his internship, he now works as a Project & Marketing Executive. He has a Master’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Heriot Watt University. He has a real passion to make our planet a better place to live, by helping organisations and individuals dispose of their e-waste more sensibly and responsibly. He manages our social media and website content to raise awareness of Edinburgh Remakery to our wide and varied audiences and communities.
Arek joined the Edinburgh Remakery team in November 2022.
Arek studied Electronics in Poland before starting work as a Repair Technician for a small company. During that time he further developed his knowledge around IT, as well as in photo editing and product photography.
Arek joins us as Hardware Repair Technician to help with the growing demand for free electronics which the Remakery gifts to those in need.
In his spare time, apart from fixing things, Arek loves running, highland walking, and traveling with his family to meet new people and admire local cultures and food.
In January 2021 we welcomed Harry Ross as our new E-Waste Operative, a role partially funded by the No One Left Behind scheme through the City of Edinburgh Council; a scheme created to provide support to those furthest removed from the labour market.
Harry then began studying through QA Apprenticeships, working towards a Level 6 IT Professional Diploma.
Due to Harry’s amazing hard work, reliability and competence, he has since been made a full-time employee and promoted to the role of Hardware Repair Technician, has completed his Level 6 Diploma, and now begins working towards Level 8.
Andy points the van in the right direction for deliveries and collections and has become somewhat adept at walking backwards while carrying heavy loads of IT equipment (hopefully we didn’t just jinx that…)
Aaron joined the Edinburgh Remakery in 2021 through the No One Left Behind scheme through the City of Edinburgh Council; a scheme created to provide support to those furthest removed from the labour market.
Aaron’s role as E-Waste Operative involves assessing donated tech equipment for repair, refurbishment or recycling, ready for items to then be sold on or gifted to people in need.
In his spare time, Aaron likes to play board games and video games.
Elizabeth is a Planning and Environmental Associate at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP. She regularly advises clients on planning matters, particularly in the renewables sector. Elizabeth also advises on environmental matters including waste management, contaminated land, & water discharges.
Prior to this role, Elizabeth was a Corporate Solicitor at SEPA where her work included corporate governance matters as well as other sectors including HR, Freedom of Information, data security and protection.
Elizabeth has an Masters degree in Environmental law and is a regular contributor to the Scottish Planning and Environmental Law.
Jeremy is the current Chair of the Edinburgh Remakery board of directors. Jeremy is an experienced business leader with extensive knowledge across most disciplines of business having been Managing Director of a very successful workers co-operative for 10 years, and more recently working in the fast paced environment of a growing tech start up.
Jeremy has also been an advisory Board member in both public and private sector and brings a wealth of skills and experience to the Edinburgh Remakery Board.
Marcus is a Chartered Banker who has been working with Scottish organisations and businesses for over 20 years. He specialises in asset finance and the life cycle management of capital expenditure.
Marcus has a particular interest in net zero transition journeys organisations face and how tackling challenges also creates opportunities. The practical applications of the Edinburgh Remakery to the Circular Economy are what attracted Marcus to the team and he looks forward to furthering the message of repair, reuse and recycle.
Evelyn has been involved with the Edinburgh Remakery since the beginning of 2011 when it was known as Remade in Edinburgh. Evelyn managed the Waste Prevention Team at Changeworks and is now their Environmental and Quality Services Manager.
Evelyn has seen the organisation develop and grow over the years and loves being a Board member of an organisation who are not only reducing the impact that societies have on climate change, but also teaching people skills and helping those in the local community at the same time.
Cat has is a learning and events officer with Children in Scotland who has spent 18 years working in the education sector focusing on professional learning, outreach education and environmental education. She has a keen interest in equality and sustainability.
Previously, she has worked on community education programmes that supported asylum seekers, refugees, the Traveller community and disadvantaged young people.
As someone who enjoys the great outdoors, Cat combined her degree in natural resource management and postgraduate diploma in education to manage a forest education service where the rainforest was her classroom. Having worked in Australia, Poland, Ireland and the UK, Cat brings a range of international experience to the team.
Lorna has spent the majority of her career working in social care, primarily alongside people living with disabilities. She has experience in developing teams, being a facilitator and a training consultant, and hands on experience of directly supporting people to live the life they choose.
Lorna believes that everyone has a contribution to make to their community and this is only meaningful with genuine inclusivity and when wellbeing is properly supported. This belief drives all of her work and is at the heart of her focus in sustainability.
Lorna is currently studying a degree in computing which has led to a keen interest in how technology can be environmentally sustainable and used to create and support inclusivity to community.
Moray is currently a graduate Sustainability Consultant at Turner & Townsend helping clients and organisations to meet their net zero goals and ambitions by guiding them on their sustainability journey.
Moray studied an Undergrad MA in Geography, Society and Environment at Heriot Watt University where his passion for sustainability lead him to write his dissertation on the plastic crisis. It was this interest in the circular economy that drew him to an internship offered by the Edinburgh Remakery helping to manage their donation box scheme for E-waste. Moray helped to grow the project from 4 to 14 boxes by the time he left and created the groundwork for other interns to come work on the project in the future.
He joins the Board as our youngest member at 23 and is really excited to continue working with the Remakery and give his input.
One of the UK’s most prestigious business accolades
One of the UK’s most prestigious business accolades, recognising outstanding achievement in social and environmental sustainability, and celebrating the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.
The Natwest SE100 Index List names the top 100 social enterprises across the UK each year
Elaine Brown, Edinburgh Remakery CEO, named as one of the top 100 Women in Social Enterprise across the UK, and one of the top 5 finalists of the Natwest WISE100 Environmental Champion award queens award
Elaine Brown, Edinburgh Remakery CEO, named as one of the top 100 Women in Social Enterprise across the UK, and one of the top 5 finalists of the Natwest WISE100 Environmental Champion award.
Recognising businesses that have championed sustainability by identifying ways to tackle the impact on the planet by reducing consumption of its resources.
Recognising businesses that have championed sustainability by identifying ways to tackle the impact on the planet by reducing consumption of its resources.
Each year the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce recognise and award Edinburgh’s top performing businesses in their ECC Awards.
Each year the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce recognise and award Edinburgh’s top performing businesses in their ECC Awards. In 2021, the Edinburgh Remakery was awarded the Excellence in Circular Economy Award.
An award recognising the commitment and actions of businesses towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.
The Business Hero awards recognise the work that UK businesses are doing in the most challenging of years.
The Business Hero awards recognise the work that UK businesses are doing in the most challenging of years. The Edinburgh Remakery were recognised for supporting the local community throughout the covid-19 outbreak.
The annual FSB Awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK
You’re not alone, many of us have drawers full of forgotten laptops, phones, and gadgets. Instead of letting them go to waste, bring them to Edinburgh Remakery! We will repair and refurbish what we can, giving your old tech a second life and keeping it out of landfill. Visit our Donate Items page for full details on how to pass on your old Tech and help us #Remakeadifference.
We gratefully receive all donations to our charity, all of which help us do more good both within our communities and for our planet.
We reduce digital poverty and social isolation amongst our most in need communities, by gifting free refurbished laptops to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
We run free Community Clubs which improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. Our clubs provide a safe and welcoming space for people to reconnect and chat over a cup of tea or coffee and cake.
We help our planet by teaching valuable sustainable skills around repair and reuse through our workshops and free weekly Repair Cafe’s, and we repair electronic devices to stop these from going to landfill and causing pollution.
Your donations help us do these things and so much more! Visit our CAF Donate page to support us today.
Commemorate those who have passed on by supporting a cause that they loved.
The Edinburgh Remakery make it easy to celebrate someone’s life and preserve their memory through funeral collections and legacy gifting.
We’re incredibly grateful to receive support through any funeral collections and legacy gifting, by ensuring any funds we receive in this way are put towards helping the planet and supporting our communities.
If you would like further advice or information on making a funeral donation or including a gift in your will, please contact our Fundraising Manager, Barbara Hamilton at barbara@edinburghremakery.org.uk
Meet new people, learn new skills, and build your confidence by volunteering with us at the Edinburgh Remakery.
There are so many ways you can help our planet and our communities by becoming a volunteer with us. As well as that warm fuzzy feeling of knowing you’re making a positive difference, you’ll also gain valuable skills, learn all sorts about the circular economy and sustainability, and meet some amazing people in the process.
Visit our volunteer opportunities page for the latest vacancies, or drop us an email with some details about yourself and your availability and we’ll get back in touch – hello@edinburghremakery.org.uk
Learn practical and simple ways to ways to repair, modify and upcycle the clothes you have, so you don’t have to buy new!
Extend the life of your clothes and reinvigorate your wardrobe in a 2-hour or 3-hour hands-on workshop with one of our sewing experts.
Explore the world of Book Sculpture and keep your books from going to waste.
During this 3-hour workshop you will learn to transform books into pieces of sculptural art. Learn how to fold, tear, cut, glue, stamp, paint and stitch the pages of your chosen book. Decorate your creation with collage, pockets, small 3D objects, papier-mâché and other embellishments.
Learn all the basic skills when it comes to machine sewing in this fun, accessible 3-hour workshop.
This workshop will introduce you to a sewing machine and its various parts, going over what each of these do, and how it all works, ending with you making a simple item to take home with you using your newfound skills!
For anyone who wants to have fun while learning a new skill, and make use of second-hand and scrap materials to repurpose into something beautiful and useable.
Our 3-hour Bookbinding workshops can teach you to make a range of different books that can be used as sketchbooks, notebooks, journals, or to keep treasured mementos safe. Bookbinding technique options include Traditional Japanese Stab Binding, Unique Notebook with a Twist, Piano Hinge Book or Coptic Binding
In this creative and crafty workshop participants will use just one single sheet of A3 paper (such as a large postal envelope) to make one of two books of their choosing:
Book One: An accordion pocketbook where you can store small treasures, such as ephemera, drawings or photos.
Book Two: Decorate, cut and fold a 16-page book, creating abstract patterns and an inventive closure system.
A versatile workshop that can run from between 2-3 hours
In this creative and crafty workshop participants will use just one single sheet of A3 paper (such as a large postal envelope) to make one of two books of their choosing:
Book One: An accordion pocketbook where you can store small treasures, such as ephemera, drawings or photos.
Book Two: Decorate, cut and fold a 16-page book, creating abstract patterns and an inventive closure system.
A versatile workshop that can run from between 2-3 hours
In this creative and crafty workshop participants will use just one single sheet of A3 paper (such as a large postal envelope) to make one of two books of their choosing:
Book One: An accordion pocketbook where you can store small treasures, such as ephemera, drawings or photos.
Book Two: Decorate, cut and fold a 16-page book, creating abstract patterns and an inventive closure system.
A versatile workshop that can run from between 2-3 hours
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