Reflecting on Our First Year of Social Impact

As we step into 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly meaningful first year for Reinvntd CIC.

Founded on the belief that clothing deserves a longer life and that practical, creative skills can empower people and communities, 2025 marked the beginning of Reinvntd’s journey.

Over the past year, we’ve seen first-hand how sustainable fashion education, hands-on making and community connection can create real, measurable impact.

Educational sustainable fashion talk at a Primary School in Solihull

TedX talk about Reinventing Textile Waste &Sustainable Fashion

Swap Shop at UCB in Birmingham

A Year of Learning, Making and Connection

Between January and December 2025, 1,283 people engaged with Reinvntd through in-person workshops, educational talks, repair cafés and clothing swap shops.

These sessions took place across community spaces, schools, colleges and universities, creating welcoming environments where people could learn new skills, share experiences and rethink their relationship with clothing.

Repair Cafe sponsored by Veolia

Clothes at Swap Shop in Wolverhampton

Patchwork workshop at Millennium Point in Birmingham

Throughout the year, we delivered:

• 30 workshops focused on upcycling, sewing and creative reuse - Each session was designed to be accessible and inclusive, whether someone was threading a needle for the first time or building confidence in existing skills.

  
  

• 13 talks and lectures across schools, colleges and universities

  
  

• 117 volunteer hours, with community at the heart of everything we do.

  
  
  
  
  

  Guest lecture at the University of Manchester
  
  

Keeping Clothes in Use for Longer

Clothing waste remains a major environmental challenge, and one of Reinvntd’s core aims is to support more circular approaches to fashion.

In 2025, 300+ garments were swapped, repaired, repurposed or resold through our activities, helping to divert clothing from landfill. Beyond the numbers, participants were encouraged to adopt circular fashion behaviours, learning how mending, altering and creatively reusing clothing can significantly extend its life.

Skills taught throughout the year included sewing, garment alteration, mending and creative reuse, supporting long-term behaviour change rather than one-off fixes.

Children's Christmas Workshop

Wellbeing embroidery workshop

Upcycling workshop at Dudley College

Social Impact with Creativity & Purpose

The impact of Reinvntd’s work goes far beyond clothing!

• Participants reported saving money on clothing costs through swap shops and upcycling, offering practical support during a continued cost-of-living crisis.

• Creative sessions also supported wellbeing, with many participants describing reduced isolation, increased confidence and stronger social connections.

One Repair Café participant shared:

“It felt amazing to give my old clothes a new life. I didn’t realise how simple it could be.”

Shorts upcycled from burnt trousers at our 'Brunch & Sew' event

In addition, 70% of participants said they learned a new skill they plan to use again, reinforcing the power of accessible, hands-on education in creating lasting change.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Entering 2026, we feel proud of what has been built and excited about what’s to come.

This first year has laid strong foundations for Reinvntd CIC. Over the coming months, we’ll be expanding our delivery of activities and sustainable fashion education, continuing to work with partners who share our values around creativity, sustainability and social impact.

If you are a school, organisation, business or community group interested in collaborating, hosting a workshop or partnering with us this year, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch:📧 info@reinvntd.com

Here’s to another year of rethinking fashion, sharing skills and building stronger communities, together.