At COEL, we are always looking for ways to be more sustainable, to reduce waste and to support our local community. We are therefore delighted to announce our partnership with Sew Positive – the Cambridge sewing and repair charity – to reuse and upcycle surplus fabric samples and reduce waste.

Sew Positive introduces local people to the positive benefits of sewing, helping them to learn to make, repair, mend, upcycle and repurpose clothes. Those who work with the charity have found how sewing can be calming, and improve mental health and wellbeing.

Melissa Santiago-Val, CEO of Sew Positive, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with COEL on reducing corporate textile waste and reusing fabric samples across our climate change projects.

“After COP26, there is an urgent need for everyone, including deprived communities, to feel empowered to make changes to textile waste that can impact climate change.

“We will be using these high-end beautiful offcuts and samples, teaching isolated communities to make lampshades, tote bags, textile art and patching.”

To learn more about this exciting initiative please click here to see the full coverage in the Cambridge Independent.