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Teesside University social enterprise is turning Junk to Funk

19 December 2014

 

Waste materials and unwanted goods are being transformed into works of art and useful household items by a social enterprise run by staff and students at Teesside University.

Junk to Funk is ‘upcycling’ materials at Rebuild North East (REBNE), based at Cannon Park in Middlesbrough, into a range of products which can be sold for good causes or given to charities.

The venture is the brainchild of Steve Thompson, the University’s Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Community Engagement Coordinator at DigitalCity.

The social enterprise is looking for shop premises in Middlesbrough where it can sell its goods and is also in the process of organising a Junk to Funk festival at REBNE which, as well as displaying the items made by the volunteers, will feature art installations and live music.

Items which have already been made include linen baskets from old computer monitor cases, a table from an electronic dancemat, refurbished computers and repurposed furniture.

Approximately 45 students have already signed up to work on the project, six of whom will sit on the board of directors of the social enterprise.

Steve said: 'The Junk to Funk festival will transform a former industrial site and turn unwanted waste into practical products or engaging works of art.

'The students who are running the social enterprise come from a wide range of disciplines and are bringing on board a vast array of skills including art and design, engineering, marketing and event management.

'While working on the project, not only will they be raising funds for charity and reducing waste which is sent to landfill, but also gaining vital entrepreneurial skills.'

Cotilda Makhumula, an MA Future Design student from Malawi, said: 'I’m very interested in ethical fashion and making use of recycled materials to encourage sustainability.

'This is a great way to use different materials and promote different ways of being environmentally friendly.'

Stephen Irving, an MA Fine Art student, added: 'A lot of my artwork is trying to make things out of found materials so coming and working in a place like this is like visiting Ikea for me.

'It’s fantastic thinking of new ways to give all these different items a new lease of life.'

REBNE, which is also a social enterprise, works to find ways to reuse and recycle waste materials while creating social and economic opportunities for disadvantaged people.

Profits from Junk to Funk will be shared with REBNE.

Executive Director Chris Kemp said: 'The students from Teesside University have an excellent variety of skills and are finding new and exciting ways to turn the waste material here into visually striking and useful pieces.

'I am enjoying working with them and the project promises to be an extremely engaging partnership.'

Future events include a Junk to Funk exhibition in the Constantine Gallery at Teesside University from 30 March, 2015.


Click here for more information on Junk to Funk
 
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