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SHRUB Newsletter: September 2025
- SHRUB Coop
- Sep 24
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 8
🍂 Autumn Greetings from SHRUB! 🍂
As the days get shorter, join us in celebrating our members and volunteers, meet our trustees, catch up on the latest from our working groups and see what our friends at Critical Mass & Co-operatives UK are up to 🤟
🌟 Community Thank Youuuuuu’s 🌟
Behind every bike repair, food collection, mended seam, and welcoming smile at SHRUB, there are people making it happen. We’d like to take a moment to thank the volunteers, members, staff, trustees and supporters - who keep the SHRUB machine moving forward!
When asked if there is anyone who our community members would like to thank, here are some of the quotes we received:
“There are too many people!”
“There are many of us who are keeping SHRUB food sharing going! :) I would like to particularly shoutout to the riders whom I have been working with: Rowena, Zara, Malakai, Christoph, Benja, and Clem! And although I haven’t been working much with them, I know Maia and Bodi have been doing so much for food sharing as well.”
"Zara, Christof, Malakai, Maia, Bodi, Marco, Rennie and everyone else who has helped with the food sharing when we have been at such low capacity."
“Definitely want to acknowledge Helena, Ros and Mary as keystones of the Sewing + Mending shoot. They have worked tirelessly to find temporary venues throughout the year, plus events. And continued to show up to volunteer week on week as well! Special shoutout to Sarah for finding Tollcross Community Centre which is now our home for the next year 😁”
“I'd like to give a shout-out to Helena, for all her perseverance with organising us to keep going. Also to Sarah Gledhill for finding and liaising with Tollcross Community Centre, our new venue. And to Ione, for being our bedrock support at Repair What You Wear sessions. And to Mary Morton for being our founder and publicist!”
“Shoutout to Emily from the Community Archive group for being such an ✨inspiration✨ sharing some really valuable resources with me and writing a whole dissertation on the closure of the Zero Waste Hub!!”
“Dolina, Cameron, and Harry for their huge commitment in clearing out Bread Street”
“Malakai, Clem, Christoph, Ro, Rennie and Scout - Foodshare couldn't have kept sharing without them (and many others)”
“All the people I’ve met at Wee Spoke Hub (and SHRUB) are incredible, and they deserve all the praise and love in the world! But I’d like to specifically shoutout to Angelique for always being reliable, kind and friendly, and also a great bike mechanic 😎”
“Honestly, every single person who has been a part of SHRUB's journey, both during the closure of the zero waste hub and after, it was a really difficult time and all of these people hold a special place in my heart <3 I also miss the zwh staff: Deirdre, Tone, Syd, Ruby and Mary, I hope they're all doing well”
“Thank you to Angelique, Annie, Cameron, Chris and Maria for their commitment to Wee Spoke Hub operations and Gloria, Tanya, Mel, [...], and [...], from the Finance & Admin Working Group!”
“I couldn't single out a specific person but definitely: Lots of love to the sewing volunteers for continuing to create such a comforting and safe space during the repair what you wear sessions 🧡 it helps me miss the Shrub that was a little less”
“I want to thank our previous trustees (Dolina, Deepak, Nora, Elena and Naomi) who had to make so many difficult but unavoidable decisions”
“Our dearest Murakami team, Peter and Josh, I hope they know how much their work is appreciated 🥳”
“I just want to thank the WHOLE Governance & Policy group... the consultations were a huge learning experience for me on what cooperative and deliberative decision-making is all about”
“Tanya, Mark, and [...] — [...] I really appreciate what they did and I’ve learned a lot from them:) Beyond the bookkeeping practice, I've also learned a lot about professional demeanour and how to work together as a team.”
“A huge shoutout to Amanda from The Pavillion Café for hosting our Food Sharing project”
“David Ingleby has been an absolute legend, taking on much organisation for the foodsharing branch in the period just after moving out of Bread St. Not sure where the project would be without him now.”
“Manu & Nora! I have learned so much from both of them 🫶”
“I would like to shout out all Food Sharing and Pavillion volunteers!”
"I was so lucky to be working with such a great group of people during my time as a trustee. The other trustees and I had an open and trusting working relationship, which given the challenges, was something I'm very grateful for. I'm also particularly grateful to Mark, Ana, Ruby, and Tone. For their dedication, patience, and support."
“I’d like to give a shout out to all those who are trying to keep some of the great projects SHRUB had going. I fear if I give names I might miss someone.”
"I would always shout and scream for Rosanna and how tirelessly brilliant she is."
“MaryO’Driscoll is the warm beam of light that shines over everyone she meets, incredibly supportive and just a lovely human being! Missing youu and can’t wait for the next Sapphic Sounds 😁”
“I would like to give a shout out to Nora for her incredible stewardship as a trustee throughout the first 6 months of the year”
“Ruby for all of her hard work tidying up and dismantling before we left bread street, without her we would be in a much worse place!”
“I would like to shoutout my fellow sweet archivists”
“I really can't shoutout just anyone individually but id love to thank the volunteers who helped out in the last weeks of the zero waste hub. Thanks to them SHRUB was able to keep existing and we can look together to the future ⭐⭐”
There are lots of people involved in the day-to-day running of a wee coop like ours, and every kind word and act of gratitude helps our community grow stronger and more connected. We hope these shoutouts and messages of thanks are a wonderful reminder of how much care and joy lives in SHRUB 😁💚
If you’d like us to share your thanks with fellow volunteers, members, staff, or trustees, you can do so by emailing hello@shrubcoop.org 💌
Thank you for being such an important part of SHRUB - you truly make all the difference :)
🥗 Join the Food Sharing Collections & Sorting Team! 🥗
Our Food Sharing volunteers have been working hard, braving Edinburgh’s colder nights to make sure food reaches the community every day at The Pavillion Café at The Meadows 💚
Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet people and help reduce food waste. If anyone is able to spare an evening a week or every other that would be super helpful 🫶
For more info or to get involved, email the Food Sharing group at foodsharing@shrubcoop.org
🌱 Regenerative Futures Fund Update 🌱
Over the past few weeks, we have been learning what the Regenerative Futures Fund (RFF) is all about and what it could mean for SHRUB. The good news is - we’re starting to get somewhere!
This fund could help SHRUB tackle poverty, racism, and the climate crisis by supporting long-term, systemic change in our community.
We’re looking for people to join the co-design process, contributing 2-4 hours per week between October and December to help develop a proposal for £50k–£100k per year over the next 10 years.
👉 Curious about this project and how you can get involved? Check out our latest blog post here.
🗳️ ECCAN Greenlight Fund Update 🗳️
Our Commuter Bike Buddies and Buses (CBBBs) project did not get funding, but ECCAN have announced the successful applicants and they are awesome!!
You can check out the projects here.
Thanks again for getting involved, we appreciate your support 💚
🤝 Meet Our Trustees + Trustee Recruitment Ad 🤝
Our trustees help guide SHRUB’s strategic direction and governance, here’s a quick hello from each of them:
Lorenzo (He/Him)
“I have been a member of SHRUB for a couple of years, although I still remember fondly when the clotheswap was still in Guthrie Street (our current Wee Spoke Hub location)! I had been a frequent customer at Zero Waste Hub (most of my wardrobe comes from it!), so when the first risk of closure was announced, I decided to get more involved. I have been active in the co-operative movement for some time, and I am looking forward to help SHRUB navigate this next stage of its life. Always happy to chat with members so if you have any questions or ideas shoot me an email!”
Paul (He/Him)
“I bring a background from the events world, having worked at over 175 music festivals in roles from Production Manager to Event Control. Some of my favourite SHRUB memories are from the Bread Street site, visiting with my young daughter who loved running around and exploring all the wonders on the shelves. It was a special place to meet people, catch up with friends, and share food without any pressure. I was excited to join as a trustee to help foster that same warm, connected community through events.”
Natalia (She/Her)
“I joined SHRUB last year and quickly found a home in the community through volunteering in the kitchen, where I spent Saturdays cooking and baking for the cafe. Being part of SHRUB has been a meaningful experience for me, and I’m excited to step into the role of trustee. I’m passionate about sustainability and community-led action, and I look forward to working with everyone to help shape a positive and resilient future for SHRUB.”
We’re always looking to welcome new voices and perspectives into the team! If you are interested in becoming a trustee, or would like to recommend someone, please take a look at our recruitment ad and help spread the word across your networks! 🌐
For any further information and informal discussion about the role, please email trustees@shrubcoop.org
🧵 Edinburgh Street Stitchers / Sewing & Mending Group Update 🧵
Our first few sewing sessions at Tollcross Community Centre have been a big success! Clothes are being repaired, skills are being shared, and conversations are sparking. There’s only one small hitch… we’re running dangerously low on Bengal Spice Tea! 🍵
Our wonderful mending volunteers also went to two Edinburgh College campuses for their Welcome Season! They were teaching students how to sew small projects using upcycled fabrics as part of Edinburgh College Students' Association's goal of putting sustainability at the core of college life.
We are now looking for some volunteers to help with the sewing and also the greeting and making tea at the weekly Repair What You Wear Sessions:
🧵🪡 Anyone who wants to help pass on mending and sewing skills please come along and talk to one of the regular volunteers (Mary, Ros, Ione, Helena and Sarah). You can start by shadowing or helping in the areas you feel most confident or jump straight in once you have sewn a name badge.
🫖🙂 We would also love to have a friendly person to greet people as they arrive, make hot drinks, pass around the biscuits and generally help with the smooth flow of the evening. If you are interested please come along to a session and talk to one of the regular volunteers (Mary, Ros, Ione, Helena and Sarah).
If you would simply like to come along to do your mending, sewing or other crafting and spend the session with us, here are the details:
🗓️ When: Every Wednesday from 5:30–7:30pm.
📍 Where: Tollcross Community Centre, 117 Fountainbridge, EH3 9QG - there is level access.
Please Note: The entrance is located across the street from the Edinburgh Meat Market arches.
Make sure to follow @shrubsewingandmending on Instagram, join the Repair What Your Wear with SHRUB group on Facebook, and check out the Eventbrite page for upcoming workshop and event updates 🫶
We would also like to remind folks who haven't yet got the “Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It: Simple Hand-sewn Repairs to Help You Love Your Clothes for Longer” book, that you can purchase a signed copy from The Wee Spoke Hub at 13 Guthrie Street 🧡
If you missed out on a signed copy, Mary has kindly offered to sign your book or add a personal dedication. Just ask her next time you see her, or email mary@shrubcoop.org.
You can also meet Mary V Morton (@EdinburghStreetStitchers) and Jeanna Wigger (@ThePeoplesMending) at their next Meet the Authors event at Soutar Theatre, AK Bell Library in Perth. It’s short notice, so be sure to follow them on Instagram to find out about future events!
🧡 Wee Spoke Hub Update 🧡
🎉 On 9th September 2025, the Wee Spoke Hub proudly marked two years since reopening! A huge shoutout to Mark, Angelique, and all our incredible volunteers who keep the spokes spoke-ing 😼
We’re excited to share some of their recent milestones:
👉 A new group of mechanical, Skill-builder Volunteers have been training hard and absolutely smashing it.
👉 Our Fix My Own Bike sessions have been a great success, giving women and non-binary folks the chance to learn, build confidence, and share skills in a supportive space.
👉 In August, the Wee Spoke Hub reached its break-even target, a record-breaking achievement and a huge step forward for the team.
We are also looking to employ a trainee mechanic, with priority given to women and minority genders - keep an eye on our website blog for more details 🫶 If you're interested you can email weespokehub@shrubcoop.org
🚲 Got a Bike That Needs Some TLC? 🚲
After all that summer cycling, your bike might be craving a little attention! Swing by our shop Wednesday-Saturday 1pm-6pm to get your bike serviced or check out our refurbished bikes at The Wee Spoke Hub at 13 Guthrie Street, EH1 1JG 🧡
🛠️ Our regular sessions to fix, practice and learn:
Every Tuesday 5-8pm Fix My Own Bike! For Women & Non-Binary Folks
Every Thursday 5-8pm Bike DIY Session
Every Saturday 2pm-3pm Bike Cleaning & Oiling
One Saturday /Month 11am Puncture Repair Workshop
One Saturday /Month 11am So... You’ve Bought a Bike! Q&A with Our Mechanic
Can't make it this month or tickets are sold out? Most of our events recur weekly or monthly, check out our Eventbrite for more dates and information!
🚴 Critical Mass 2025 - 2026 Dates 🚴
Our friends at Critical Mass have released their new fliers with details of their scheduled rides - the next one is this Saturday, 27th September at 2PM, starting from Middle Meadow Walk ✨
🤝 Call for a Co-operative Scotland 🤝
Co-operatives UK is advocating for a more inclusive and fairer economy in Scotland by promoting the growth of co-operatives.
They have developed a policy platform, urging all political parties to commit to fostering co-operative growth ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.
How You Can Get Involved:
👉 Add your name to the Call for a Co-operative Scotland.
👉 Contact Your MSP using the provided sample text to reach out to your Member of the Scottish Parliament, expressing your support for co-operative growth.
👉 Subscribe to Co-operatives UK’s newsletter to receive updates on co-operative activities and initiatives.
