AN UPCYCLING project is taking place in Allendale town centre.

Higher Ground, a community-led organisation set up to encourage mental and physical wellbeing, is hosting a Repair Cafe event on Saturday, February 12 from 10am until 3pm.

Eight volunteers with specialist skills have been recruited to fix broken items instead of sending them to landfill. Jane Pryde, Higher Ground Project Manager, said: "The last Repair Cafe had nearly 100% fix rate."

Held just before the first lockdown in February 2020, the Repair Cafe volunteers fixed around 25 to 30 items that would otherwise have gone to landfill. "Our main ethos is sustainability," Jane said.

Jane and her partner Sam Coulson started Higher Ground in 2016 to support mental health through various activities.

They received starting funds from Tesco to change the field into a vegetable garden, and now sell organically grown produce year round.

Although people don't have to book to attend the Repair Cafe, Jane said: "It would be helpful if we knew ahead of time what items people are bringing," so they can determine what needs to be done.

"The community has been so supportive. The building was derelict and local people are really keen to see it used," Jane said.

For more information, go to http://www.higher-ground.org.uk/ or email janeycmorgan@hotmail.co.uk.