HANDYMEN and fix-it females are being called upon to help an upcycle charity continue its restoration work across the county.

Bicester Green works to keep rubbish from ending up in landfill and opened about three years ago.

Workers say it is going from strength to strength and more volunteers are needed to keep pace.

The charity works with locals to restore unwanted items heading for the bin – these are also sold through neighbouring Sobell House Hospice Charity.

Volunteer Kevin Harding, who has worked with Bicester Green since it started, said: “I was looking to go back into full-time work as I am a carer for my disabled 16-year-old daughter Jessica who is on the autistic spectrum.

“I was living in Bicester at the time and as a single parent thought it would be a good opportunity to get back into work.

“I started restoring furniture and thought I would have a go at upholstery and got really into it. I am now actually self-employed and doing a bit of upholstery for people.”

The charity works from a warehouse off London Road and hosts a number of workshops.

It hosted its first repair café in East Oxford and invited residents to bring along electrical items for diagnosis or repair.

Mr Harding added: “I am still a full-time carer and live in Banbury but I still volunteer at Bicester Green.

“It’s not just about the skills but about meeting new people which is important.

“I would encourage others thinking about volunteering to go along and see.

“I would like to volunteer with Bicester Green for many more years even if we have to move.”

Bicester Green is also looking for new premises for when its lease runs out at the end of this year.

Centre manager Stuart Turner said: “We need volunteers, it is their work that keeps us going with a range of different skills of local people.

“It is in sync with the new eco town status for Bicester and there appears to be lots to encourage people to upcycle and recycle.

“The present premises has been a fantastic resource for our work but as the future of our current site is uncertain, we are on the lookout for alternative premises.

“We have about 20 volunteers, both male and female and a whole range of ages.

“The great thing I have noticed being here is the great mixture of ages all working together in the workshop.

“We can’t function without volunteers as we are hoping to do more outreach workshops, then events such as play days and the Bicester Big Lunch.”

As the charity expands, repair cafés will be held on Saturday, March 12, in Banbury and give or take events on Saturday, April 23 in Wantage and in Oxford on Saturday, May 14.