Mosaic workshop

On 3rd March, we held a mosaic workshop as part of the Re-furnish project. Carol demonstrated the technique and guided everyone to make their own mosaic artworks. We repurposed materials such as damaged tiles, beads and buttons to build up the colourful patterns – a fun and creative way to reduce waste. Those attending all enjoyed the creative experience and the good company, with lots of positive feedback, including:

“Absolutely loved it. The time flew.”

“It was absolutely amazing thank you so much. I can’t wait to see how they turn out.”

Here are some action shots of the works in progress…

Building up a floral mosaic pattern

Another floral design taking shape

If you came to the workshop and want to share a photo of your finished mosaic tile, please email it to wen@la21.net

Barbara has sent a photo of her tile, which she will be using as a garden ornament.

Barbara’s completed mosaic tile

Furniture Repair Clinic and Quick Fix Drop-in

Over 20 people came along to WEN for the Furniture Repair Clinic on 7th March. Karen and Katrina showed how to carry out quick fixes to damaged items and participants were guided through the process so they could complete the repair themselves. During the two hours, 10 repairs were made to items brought along by workshop attendees, including fixing a split leg on a chair, sanding varnish off a nest of tables, repairing webbing on a seat, mending fabric on an ottoman lid and footstool, restoring a broken plinth on a tall chair, and removing the wobble from several chair legs. There were also demonstrations of upholstery techniques such as making buttons, attaching trims, cutting foam and replacing webbing.

This session was filled with knowledge, skill sharing and advice, and lots of fun and chatter. Being able to repair 10 items of furniture in 2 hours demonstrates there is a demand for this type of service. Katrina and Karen both agree that they would like to continue working together to offer repairs in some capacity.

Thank you to Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority for funding our workshops and enabling us to help people reduce waste, as well as keeping the furniture they love looking great for years to come.

So many thanks to Karen and Katrina for giving their time and expertise at the three sessions. If you want to keep in touch with our fabulous tutors, follow Katrina at Urban Vintage and Karen at Re-jiggery.

Teamwork recovering a chair seat

Fixing a chair

Introduction to Setting Up a Repair Cafe

On 17th March, we joined forces with Wirral Repair Cafe and Circular Arts Network LCR to run an advice session for people who are interested in starting up their own repair cafe. We had a fabulous turn out of 22 people – the majority were from the Wirral with two people from Northwich and two people who are soon to move to Sefton.

The Wirral Repair Cafe team spoke about how the first Repair Cafe on the Wirral came about and how it runs today covering the admin, repairer and catering roles. They also spoke about the International Repair Cafe movement and took time to answer questions. We are grateful to Wirral Repair Cafe for sharing their knowledge and to Circular Arts Network LCR for organising the event and providing lunch.

Fingers crossed that this is the start of seeing more Repair Cafes spring up across the Wirral, following in the successful footsteps of Wirral Repair Cafe at Birkenhead Library and St Mary’s Repair Cafe in Upton.

If you weren’t able to get to this meeting, there are plans being made for an online event. We’ll share the time and date on our social media pages and in our newsletter once details have been confirmed.

The Wirral Repair Cafe team giving their advice on how to set up a Repair Cafe

Changemaker School Citizen Assembly at Chester Zoo

WEN Trustees Claire and Anne attended the second Changemakers session at Chester Zoo on 19th March.

They worked with schools from the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust as they developed their biodiversity projects. It was encouraging to see real progress, from improving outdoor spaces to raising awareness of climate issues across their communities.

What stood out most was the level of ownership from young people. These aren’t small ideas; schools are making tangible changes and influencing others.

A hopeful session, and a reminder that education can drive real environmental action!

Alongside the students’ work, there were some useful resources shared on the day:

• United Nations Act Now campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals
• 1st Prize Short Film Winner of the Film4Climate Global Video Competition

Anne (left) and Claire (right) (in green WEN shirts) with some of the other ‘experts’ at the Changemaker event

WEN Annual Planning Meeting

The WEN team gathered on 21st March to look back at the highlights from the last 12 months and to set priorities and make plans for the year ahead. We agreed that our strengths include the number of events we attend, the high quality of our courses and workshops, our ability to access funding, and our communications output which draws attention to the activities of the wider network of environmental organisations across the Wirral. We all came away with a list of bullet points and actions for 2026 to help us increase our engagement with a greater diversity of Wirral residents and to improve our facilities.

Water Stories film screening

Faiths4Change screened ‘Water Stories’ at WEN on 24th March. The film was introduced by Zarah and Rob from Faiths4Change and featured their community garden in Liverpool, with participants reflecting on their water use and also how they conserve water. We then saw the Urban Green garden nearby, a SUDs scheme which provides relief from flooding, by holding water from heavy rainfall underground in tanks to release at a later time. Urban Green has also improved biodiversity, engaged local residents to manage the garden, and provided a cooling effect on the local climate too. So many wins! It was heartening to hear about a new scheme for Beryl Road in Noctorum which will provide the same benefits. Later in the film, we heard from a canal resident who helped others test the water quality and assess the effect of the changing climate on Lunt Meadows.

The discussion afterwards focused on the recent Channel 4 drama documentary, ‘Dirty Business’. We were all appalled at it and keen to act – Wirral waterways, like the Birket, are so polluted they are devoid of life. Water is an essential part of our lives which is often taken for granted and this focus on local water management issues was much appreciated by those watching.

If you missed our screening, you can watch Water Stories via YouTube.

Spiritual Spring Cleaning workshop

Crystals and a pendulum, used to check chakras

Julie with her Easter-themed cake

Julie’s next workshop = going back to Ancient Egypt

Gardening Courses

Our ‘Past, Present and Future of Gardening’ course members really enjoyed visiting Wirral Flower Farm this month. They wanted to see what the farm is like in early spring and are looking forward to going back again in the summer when the flowers will be in full bloom.

Wirral Flower Farm owner Jen grows with nature in mind, using lots of saved seeds. She supplies weddings and offers fresh-cut flowers to local florists. She also runs workshops throughout the year, covering topics such as seed starting and making hand-tied bouquets, wedding displays, crowns and wreaths. Between June and September, Jen opens up one of the fields for ‘Pick Your Own’ so you can spend a relaxing afternoon with family or friends picking a bouquet straight from the stems.

The gardening course group wrapped up warm at Wirral Flower Farm

Follow Life on the Lot – Wirral Flower Farm on Facebook or Instagram for updates.

Find out more on the Wirral Flower Farm by Life on the Lot website.

If you would like to join our ‘Past, Present and Future of Gardening’ course in the summer term to visit places of interest such as Wirral Flower Farm, there are spaces available.

The 10 week course costs £65 and runs on Wednesdays, 12 – 2pm, starting on 15th April.

To book please phone Carol on 07932 355742 or email carol.seery1@btinternet.com

Woodwork course

This term’s woodwork course came to a close this month. The theme was Homes for Wildlife, resulting in a great selection of hedgehog houses, bird boxes, bat boxes and bug houses.

A hedgehog house made on the woodwork course this term

We were delighted to receive this lovely feedback from course attendees:

“This is the second woodworking course I have attended at WEN with tutor Tony. This course has not only given me new knowledge and skills to attempt projects at home but has also been very positive for my wellbeing. The centre and its staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming which nurtures a really positive feel among the participants. I would not hesitate to recommend attending any sessions at WEN and Thursday mornings have been the highlight of the week. Not only have I made several projects but knowing they are helping our wildlife is an added bonus.”

“I went on this woodwork course and really enjoyed it. I had never used a drill before. Tony was very good showing us how to make the hedgehog house and I also made a Robin nestbox. It is a joy to put things you have made in your garden for the wildlife. I also met some nice and interesting people. I would recommend it.”

We will be running a woodwork course again next term. If you are tempted to join in, the details are below.

8 Week Woodwork Course
Starting Thursday 23rd April, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Learn or brush up on woodwork skills and gain confidence in using tools.
Make a bench to take home for the cost of the materials or leave it with us to sell to raise funds for WEN.
Cost: £60 (plus cost of materials).
Booking essential.
Please email wen@la21.net to reserve your place.

Library of Things

New volunteer Clare has been busy getting the Library of Things organised and we’ve been thinking about how to promote it so that people know about all the great eco items that we have available to borrow.

If you are a member of WEN, you can select from a range of equipment, including pollution monitors, bat detectors, trail cameras, water sampling kits, litter pickers, bokashi composting sets, clothes rails, pallet breakers and more.

We have individual and household membership levels, starting at just £6 per year. We also have group membership options, so charities, businesses, community groups and schools could join and give access to the Library of Things to their employees and volunteers.

Join WEN here and then email us to arrange a visit to see what the Library of Things has to offer.

Jeri and Alistair showed what can be achieved with a bit of time and determination when they popped to WEN to borrow some litter pickers from the Library of Things. They filled 19 bags with the litter, broken glass, dog poo, and leaves and soil full of embedded plastic that was blighting the pedestrian walkway between Falkland Road and Egremont Primary School. The path now looks so much better and the walk to school will be safer and more enjoyable for all the families who use the route. Top work Jeri and Alistair!

Alistair and Jeri – champion litter pickers!

Upcoming Events at WEN

‘The Work of Wirral Fox Rescue’
Thursday 16th April, 6.30 – 8pm

Wirral Walking Festival 2026
Mersey Meanders

Rock Ferry to Port Sunlight River Park
Tuesday 12th May, 10.30am – 1.30pm

Creative Community Talks & Craft
Saturdays 9th May, 13th June, 11th July, 2 – 4pm

We’re delighted that Veronika from Recreational Wardrobe has chosen WEN as the new venue for weekend Wardrobe Talks and Craft sessions.