Help shape free community workshops at Home Basics

Home Basics is inviting people in Walkerburn, Hawick and the surrounding communities to help shape a new programme of free community workshops.

The organisation is planning a range of practical, creative and money-saving sessions designed to help people learn new skills, reduce household costs and make the most of everyday items. Before finalising the programme, Home Basics wants to hear directly from local people about which workshops would be most useful and appealing.

Community members are being encouraged to complete a short online survey which takes around two minutes to finish.

Workshops inspired by local interests

The survey includes a variety of workshop ideas focused on practical skills, energy saving, reuse and creativity.

Ideas being considered include:

• Making your own draught excluder
• Creating reusable dehumidifiers for the home or car
• Adding thermal lining to curtains to help reduce heat loss
• Learning how to use basic DIY tools
• Rewiring a lamp
• Maintaining household appliances such as vacuum cleaners and hairdryers

Home Basics is also exploring the possibility of regular repair and tool sessions where people can learn practical skills, share knowledge and help give household items a second life.

Creative and seasonal activities

Alongside practical home maintenance skills, the survey asks residents whether they would be interested in seasonal craft workshops that encourage reuse and upcycling.

Potential activities include:

• Halloween ghost decorations made from old bedding
• Pyrography workshops for creating personalised wooden gifts
• Mosaic coaster making using recycled pottery and crockery

There is also an opportunity for participants to suggest additional workshop ideas that they would like to see offered in the future.

Have your say

Feedback gathered through the survey will help Home Basics decide which workshops to develop and deliver in Walkerburn and Hawick.

Anyone interested in helping shape the programme can complete the survey online.

The survey takes approximately two minutes to complete and will help ensure future workshops reflect the interests and needs of local communities.