New Member Focus: Bright Sparks Reuse store

We welcome Bright Sparks as ISEP members!

Bright Sparks are a well-established reuse store, run by the social enterprise DigiBridge CIC, who work with local authorities and social landlords in north and east London to divert reusable second-hand furniture and other household items (white goods, small electricals, bric-a-brac and crockery) from landfill. Through this activity they provide jobs for local people, volunteering opportunities for individuals looking to get back into work and purposeful activities for socially-excluded individuals.  

All the reusable items are cleaned, tested, repaired if needed and distributed to local people through their outlets – their shop in Islington is located at 176 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, N7 7PX. Local Islington residents in receipt of benefits can get 20% off the price of essential household items.

The majority of products entering the Bright Sparks system are from donations – see here for details on how to donate and the items they collect. They also carry out portable appliance testing (PAT) on electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.

Manager Diye Wariebi who set up the original Seven Sisters Road shop around 11 years ago has helped Bright Sparks get involved in local food sharing projects and has now set his sights on establishing repair cafes: “These cafes will be a place to get bikes fixed, do sewing, mend small electricals, repair furniture and upcycle. Volunteers will help you do it, and if you can’t repair something, then you can maybe donate it to Bright Sparks for the spare parts. Our strategy is low-impact living and low-cost living.”