Things Matter CIC is a Non-Profit Organisation working towards a circular and inclusive Fashion Industry. We take industry overstock and post-consumer waste and redirect this to emerging designers and local communities through our incubator programme and hands-on workshops, ensuring that sustainable practices are accessible to all. 

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Why do we do this?

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The current fashion industry is creating a crisis - with over 92 million tonnes of textiles going to landfill every year, and the UK alone contributing to half a million tonnes of this waste, we aim to intercept as much waste as possible before it is exported to global south. 

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How do we do this? 

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We work closely with local businesses and charities, as well as our community, and take in clothes which are damaged or no longer used. We then use these for workshops or forward them to the designers in our community to use for their projects.

 

We Believe that there is enough waste to go around for everyone to use and in order to built a sustainable industry, we must learn to work with pre-existing garments and materials. And for those who do not know how to do this, we run workshops to teach them the skills to keep their own wardrobes circular.

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Q1: How do you ensure that the designers you work with align with your values and

mission?

We carefully select designers based on their commitment to sustainability, zero-waste practices, and community engagement. Many come through our incubator programme, where we get to know their process and values closely. We also provide support and mentoring to help them stay aligned with our mission as they grow.

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Q2: How do your workshops go beyond fashion to create real impact in the community?

Our workshops are designed to equip people with practical skills. Whether that’s mending clothes, up-cycling household items, or learning music and visual arts as forms of expression. The goal is to reduce waste, build confidence, and foster a sense of shared ownership over creativity and sustainability. 

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Q3: What makes the Things Matter showroom different from a typical sustainable store?

Our showroom isn’t just a shop. It’s a curated space that highlights the stories behind each piece and each designer. The majority of the designers in our shop work closely with us and are given materials from our donations, which they then take home to upcycle, and then bring back to the store to be sold. When items are donated to us at the end of their industry or consumer lives, they begin a new life with us and our designers.

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Every item is a reflection of collaboration, community, and circular design.

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​Q4: What kind of materials do you accept for redistribution?

We accept textiles (including offcuts and scraps), haberdashery, trimmings, buttons, zips, broken jewellery, packaging, sewing tools, old tech, books and more. If it's creative and reusable, we’ll try to find it a new home.

 

Not sure? Send us a photo on instagram or bring it in!

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Q5: Do I need experience to join a workshop?

Nope! Our workshops are designed to be welcoming to all skill levels. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned maker, there’s something for you.

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Q6: What Prices are your workshops?

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Some workshops are free, and others are pay-what-you-can or low-cost. All materials are included, and we try to keep things as accessible as possible.

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Q7: What happens to materials that can’t be reused?

We do our best to responsibly dispose of anything that can’t be redistributed or used creatively. Our goal is always to minimise waste.

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