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About The Circle Refill Hub
The Circle Refill Hub started in 2020 and has been a pillar of Rainham's thriving Eco Community. Previously run by Liz and Kat, the baton has been passed to local non-profit community initiative Mutual Aid Road Reps CIC aka MA|RR.
Our aim is to reduce waste and plastic pollution by providing an affordable selection of products made and stored with as little impact to the planet as possible.
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MA|RR which also started in 2020 and is tasked with fighting loneliness and isolation across the Medway Towns and in preparing our community for our changing climate and political landscape.
In 2020 ​Liz took a brave step in launching The Circle Refill Hub and creating Medway's first zero waste shop. Whether there were others in the community that had the same aspirations was still unknown - would it even work in Rainham!? However, since that time over 8,000 items of plastic waste have been saved from landfill, incineration and our waterways by our amazing community.
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As Liz took the difficult decision to step away, Kat couldn't watch from the side-lines anymore, and see all of Liz's hard work evaporate... so she stepped in and took The Circle to the next level, providing an even bigger range of products and flexible delivery options. As capacity increased Kat struggled to keep up with The Circle's growing popularity, and that's where MA|RR has stepped in, to save this grassroots community Eco Business and to continue its work protecting our beautiful planet!
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Now in the hands MA|RR we offer both delivery and will have collection locations across all of Medway's Towns coming soon. All profits will be driven back into MA|RR to support our extensive Community Outreach session calendar.
"Opening a plastic free refill provision for all of Medway's communities has been an aim of MA|RR's since 2022 so we are delighted to have been chosen by Liz and Kat to continue the fight for a cleaner and healthier future."
- Kate Belmonte Operations Director of MA|RR
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​We cover the whole of Medway. Weekly local deliveries are available to Gillingham, Rainham, Chatham, Rochester and Strood with Pick Up Points coming to a shop near you asap!​
MA|RR run a full calendar of Community Outreach Sessions, which are aimed at lonely and isolated adults across the Medway Towns. Sessions are free to attend and we provide drinks/lunch/snacks at all sessions.
The sessions we run include:
Coffee, Chat & Connect – relaxing environment within the Rainham Healthy Living Centre or local cafes/restaurants. Perfect for non-committal chats, friendship nurturing and first group interactions. Every Monday 12pm - 2pm in Rainham Healthy Living Centre and every Wednesday at Balmoral Healthy Living Centre 10am - 12pm.
Walk & Talk – light exercise for all abilities, we ensure all routes are fully accessible and go at the pace of the slowest member. We stop for refreshments enjoying both nature and company.
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Board Games – Working with our MA|RR Community Champion Playopolis in Rochester, we get together once a month for board games of all types, we play collectively or in pairs.
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Club 18–24 – Aimed at those aged between 18 and 24, the sessions will eventually be run; by the youth for the youth.
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The Friendship Spectrum – Specifically for adults over the age of 18 who are on the Autistic Spectrum have ADD, ADHD or any other condition, which makes establishing friendships difficult. Family members are also welcome to attend. NO DIAGNOSIS REQUIRED. Venue: Twydall Community Centre, Beechings Way, Twydall, ME8 6TQ. When: first Thursday of the month between 12pm and 2pm.
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Health Empowerment – For anyone with chronic health conditions, this group is a safe sanctuary for those wishing to discuss their health conditions and experiences in a safe and welcoming venue. We will also have regular talks & courses to support your ongoing recovery. Based at the Rainham Healthy Living Centre.
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Climate Café - Working across Medway MA|RR is running a series of Climate Cafes within community spaces. Sessions are interactive and informative, and will look to dispel the many myths of Climate Change, reduce climate anxiety and provide the tools for community empowerment.
Brainstormz - A befriending & support group for those experiencing neurological symptoms. This group is facilitated by MA|RR but run by Sue & Lee with support from FND Action.
THINKING ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?
Like all non-profit voluntary organisations we rely on volunteers to provide our services, if you have even just an hour free a month then please do sign up and help us to reach even more residents. We reimburse all travel, parking and provide free refreshments and snacks for our teams, so volunteering with MA|RR won’t cost you a penny. What's more we've partnered with Tempo Time credits to reward Volunteers with days out in Medway & London. CLICK HERE TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER
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