Monmouthshire Upcycle celebrates ten years in Chepstow

South Wales Argus

6 days ago

Chepstow is home to a vibrant upcycling initiative led by Monmouthshire Upcycle, a charitable project operated by the Forest Upcycling Project. Located at Station Yard Industrial Estate, next to the town's railway station, the site is an Aladdin's cave,not just of trinkets and bric-a-brac, but of solid furniture and practical goods.
The busy hub runs vans for free removals of unwanted household furniture and offers affordable moving services. The reuse facility transforms donated items such as furniture, appliances, books, and more, into affordable goods for the community. It reduces waste while providing employment and training opportunities for those in need of a new start, work experience or just people with time to spare who want to help build and help communities.
Speaking about the project's vision, founder Matt Jones said: 'We believe in second chances, not just for furniture, but for people and futures.'
Locals can donate unwanted items or purchase refurbished ones at a fraction of the original cost. From wardrobes and lamps to kitchen tables and baby goods, the selection is wide-ranging and constantly evolving. Delivery services make sustainable living even more accessible.
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Beyond retail, Chepstow's upcycling efforts promote circular economy values. The project's expansion reflects growing demand and community support, proving that sustainability and compassion go hand in hand. As Matt puts it: 'The more money we make, the more people we can employ.'
Staff and volunteers are a vibrant, creative bunch. The on-site café hosts a Repair Café on the first Friday of each month, where locals bring broken items and volunteers help fix them, keeping goods out of landfill and building connections.
At the heart of the café is Natalia Lutiaenko, a Ukrainian refugee from Odessa who's been in the UK for three years. She's managed the café for 18 months and also works in a local school. With fellow Ukrainian Liliya Onopa, Natalia now serves traditional dishes like borscht, plov, varenyky, and holubtsi on-site. She jokes: 'All you need to know, pre-Google, is don't eat borscht while wearing a white top.'
She loves British humour—especially Philomena Cunk—and fondly recalls how warmly she and her children were welcomed by a British family and the happy way of life here.
Joining them is retired teacher and ceramicist Mariam Eastwood: 'I retired to become my late mother's carer. As a neurodiverse person, there was no pressure here—it was so welcoming. I was dealing with grief, and this place helped. After that, I was asked if I wanted a job'
What began in Chepstow has now grown into a cross-border concern, with outlets in Cwmbran, Cinderford, and Swindon.