From the National Emergency Briefing (NEB) screening to upcycling BCU merch

On 28 October, Reinvntd was invited to Birmingham City University (BCU) to lead an upcycling workshop as part of the university’s Go Green Week. The workshop followed a screening of the National Emergency Briefing, giving attendees a chance to continue the conversation through a practical, creative activity. If you haven’t heard of the National Emergency Briefing (NEB), here’s a quick rundown.

The National Emergency Briefing is a campaign calling on the UK Government to hold a prime-time emergency briefing on the climate and nature crisis. The message was simple: climate and nature breakdown is already seriously impacting our health, food, national security and economy. With the effects of this being far greater than anyone realises.

UK emissions only fell by 1.8 percent last year, to save our planet this needs to be seven times greater by next year.

Knowing the facts is one thing but doing things to make a change is another.

So, what can we do?

After the screening, Reinvntd hosted an upcycling workshop. Using old BCU merchandise, we showed how you can give something ready for landfill, a whole new life!

First everyone selected their own handmade stencils and used acrylic paint to stamp them onto bits of scrap fabric. After cutting them out, attendees stitched (or glued) them onto the merch, covering the old branding with something personal.

Everyone left with a unique new garment that they could wear and a new skill that they can apply not only to their wardrobe, but to other things like upholstery!

One small change might not feel like much- but if every one of us makes one, our planet will be happier and healthier for generations to come.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Want to make a change?

Pay a visit to a local free screening of the briefing and sign the petition. With over 100,000 signatures, if we work together, we can make a difference. You can sign it and find out more at nebriefing.org.

And if you fancy getting create and learning small, easy ways you can help save our planet, check out our website and follow Reinvntd on Instagram for our upcoming upcycling workshops and sustainable fashion events.