Press Release

14 August 2025

Community Fund helps turn junk into art!

Fareham Borough Council has awarded Artcycle £315.05 from its Community Fund, toward the purchase of junk collecting equipment, safety wear and reusable promotional material for its community junk workshops.

Artcycle is a Community Interest Company which uses junk to create artwork projects such as bags and decorations within their community workshops. Based at AFC Portchester, Artcycle’s social and educational junk workshops have been positively received in the community. This community funding will enable the group to purchase additional equipment which will allow these workshops to continue in the future.

Artcycle, which is still in its first year of operation, work closely with local charities, local children’s groups, home-school networks and social care within councils to ensure the workshops can be accessed by those that would benefit most. It is also working with local schools and through AFC Portchester members and attendees to raise awareness. The junk workshops cost between £10-20 for a three-hour session, which covers tuition staff, room hire, materials and tools.

Executive Member for Leisure and Community at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Connie Hockley, said: “Artcycle is a truly deserving recipient of community funding. It not only offers workshops at exceptionally good value, but will also provide free spaces to families who have financial struggles as part of their ‘free of charge’ spaces policy. It’s also fantastic that they are able to make junk into art and usable products. I encourage anyone who is interested in crafts or being more environmentally aware to come along to a community workshop and take part.”

For more information about Fareham’s Community Fund and how to apply, please visit: www.fareham.gov.uk/grants.

ENDS