An organisation that turns waste into "great things" has announced ambitious plans to move into a town's former hospital site.
For the past four years Re-Utilise has worked tirelessly in the Lowestoft community.
Re-Utilise in Lowestoft, which is set to move to new premises. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Dedicated to diverting clean waste away from landfill and making it available to be transformed into works of art or creative materials, the not-for-profit membership based organisation is now looking to the future as it eyes up a move to the former Lowestoft Hospital site.
With the strapline of "making waste things into great things", the Community Interest Company uses any profits made from sales to provide numerous craft workshops for children and adults in the community.
Re-Utilise in Lowestoft, which is set to move to new premises. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
This has seen them support many SEN families, the unemployed and people struggling with mental health issues over the past few years - helping them learn new skills and build confidence through pottery, ceramics and scrapbooking workshops as well as many other sessions.
Service users enjoying craft sessions at Re-Utilise in Lowestoft, which is set to move to new premises. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
With their own on-site 'scrap store', the Re-Utilise Resource Centre also takes in unused paint that is no longer needed at the organisation's facility on Whapload Road as part of the national Community RePaint scheme.
Carol Dean, founder of Re-Utilise in Lowestoft, which is set to move to new premises. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Now, Carol Dean, founder of Re-Utilise, said they were looking forward to a bright future - with "ambitious and exciting plans" that will see them move in the coming weeks to new premises on the old Lowestoft Hospital site.
With the decision to close Lowestoft Hospital on Tennyson Road made in 2013 - ending more than 150 years' service to the town - the final two services moved from the site as the building was closed in 2016.
The old hospital site went under the hammer and sold at auction on October 25, 2018 for £475,000.
It was purchased by Shreeve Property Limited, and since then parts of the site have been rented out to local charities.
On Re-Utilise's forthcoming move to the former hospital site, Ms Dean said: "It is really exciting.
Carol Dean, founder of Re-Utilise in Lowestoft, which is set to move to new premises. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
"Thinking back to when we set up four years ago to where we are now, and where we are moving to, well it is amazing really.
"We are moving to premises on the old hospital grounds which will allow us to do much more.
Re-Utilise in Lowestoft is set to move to new premises at the former Lowestoft Hospital site. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
"It has gone full circle and I never imagined we would be here and looking forward to the next chapter, which is moving into the former Lowestoft Hospital site that has so much more space.
"It is a big deal for us."
Making 'an impact'
Admitting she had been "overwhelmed" by the support Re-Utilise has received from local businesses, she thanked "everyone who has helped to get us to where we are now".
Carol Dean, founder of Re-Utilise in Lowestoft, which is set to move to new premises. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
This includes companies who have donated generously to the organisation as they thanked Rymans Lowestoft, Lotus Cars, Clays of Bungay, Aura Print Lowestoft, Hasan Tunc, East Suffolk Council, Direct Line Insurance, Birds Eye (Lowestoft), Scottish Power, RMI Renewables, Asda, Morrisons, Lowestoft Town Council, Jarrolds in Norwich and the Clothworkers' Foundation.
This support and funding for the volunteer run organisation has helped "make a real difference" and Ms Dean added: "We would not be where we are now without Peter Colby's support."
Carol Dean, founder of Re-Utilise in Lowestoft, which is set to move to new premises. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Reflecting on the past four years and looking forward to the move to the new premises, she added: "I did not realise just how much of an impact we have had on people's lives - we have had lots of success stories.
"Two ladies had real social anxiety when they first came along, now both have become volunteers and one is on the committee.
"This move will allow us to expand but also give some of our service users a lot more space to get together."
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