Bicester Green

Bicester Green began in 2013 with the desire to bring skills and second hand stuff to the local community, aiming to reduce materials destined for waste (landfill at the time) by using the waste materials as a catalyst for learning. The mission remains the same today, we achieve this by repairing, reusing, reconditioning, repurposing, refilling and recycling.

Since 2013 we have moved from Station Approach to Old Claytons Yard, on the Launton Road (in three shipping containers),  acquiring part of The Stables in 2019, before having to vacate and sell the shipping containers in 2023 and moving half the organisation to 16 Sheep Street. Taking on a town centre location gave the opportunity to reach a greater audience, and potentially bring in more volunteers, projects and sell more of our work.

We now find that Bicester Green is at a turning point in its 10 year existence, with rising overheads, the cost of running dual locations, a need to take on more paid staff to operate effectively and the realisation that projected revenue has not materialised. So we turn to our supporters and local community to help us continue our mission.

In the last year alone, we have saved over 30 tonnes of material from waste, with more than 1500 volunteer interactions over more than 8000 volunteer hours. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and volunteer with us for all manner of reasons, but with one common aim which is to give back to the community.

Don't take our word for it, this is what it means to some of our volunteers:

“My son introduced me to Bicester green a few years ago, I was apprehensive at first but was made very welcome from the start. I found like minded people that were very happy to help me with day to day things to get me into the swing of Bicester green. This helped me in many ways, I have rheumatism in both hands and the movement needed in my work helps to keep my hands agile. I have electrical skills that I want to pass on to other people, now as we progress after the move into the new premises the electrical team have a much better working environment with space to keep things separate for donations, repairs etc.”

“I count myself lucky to have discovered the existence of this organisation which is Bicester Green.

The reasons for Bicester Green’s being appealed to me - the chance to prevent 'stuff' from going into landfill, to repair, refurbish or repurpose items seemed important.

Though initially I was interested in working in the bike shop the attraction in general was the opportunity to work with my hands as I have always enjoyed either making or fixing 'things'.

Getting to know and work with a new group of like-minded people was also good therapy! In addition i also benefited from learning new skills.

Bicester Green feels like a community/family where fun is the order of the day with new challenges always on the menu.

Long live Bicester Green!”

“Having been a technical trainer with Robert Bosch for ten years prior to the start of the Covid Pandemic,I was keen to stay active and use the skills and experience for something useful whilst on furlough.

I discovered Bicester Green and found that my knowledge and passion for all things mechanical, could be put to good use in the Bike shop.  I would describe myself as being ‘affected’ by not being able to repair things that, in my view, should and could be repaired and so I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about cycle maintenance and feeling that I am not only giving something back to society and the local community but I am also doing my bit to support the environment.

Learning new things, voluntary work and the camaraderie of the Bike shop have kept and will keep me there long after Covid passes into our history books.”

“Oxfordshire Youth Justice (YJS) has had a long and fruitful partnership with Bicester Green. Many of the young people supervised by our service undertake reparation activity through practical tasks in their community. Wherever possible the task is directly for the benefit of those impacted by the young person’s offence. Bicester Green staff have supported young people in mending things that have been damaged or making gifts as a practical way to say sorry. Bicester Green has been the ideal place for our young people to work, and learn that crucial life lesson that ‘doing good’ makes one feel good.”

What are we asking?

To help us continue, to stay in the town centre and at the stables, pay the bills, repair more stuff, make more interesting things from reclaimed materials and to offer a place for our volunteers to come to feel safety and belonging. Pledge whatever you can, it will all help.

Thank you.