Weaving Purpose into Practice Through Upcycling and Volunteering

On May 9, 2025, I had the privilege of visiting the Enabling Village in Redhill, Singapore, a pioneering initiative by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and SG Enable. Designed as an inclusive community space, it champions accessibility, integration, and empowerment for persons with disabilities. The visit left me both inspired and hopeful, as I explored how thoughtful design, upcycling initiatives, and social enterprises are reshaping the fashion landscape and offering models for inclusive, regenerative futures.

Universal Design in Action

The Enabling Village is a showcase of universal design principles—spaces created not only for accessibility, but for equity, ease, and dignity. From wheelchair-friendly paths that weave through greenery, to sensory-friendly zones, soft lighting, and artworks created by neurodivergent individuals, every element here has been designed with care. The layout encourages movement, mindfulness, and most importantly, interaction between people of all ages and abilities.

Developed by the award-winning architecture firm WOHA, this urban oasis merges biophilic design with social innovation. It’s not just a building, it’s a statement. A garden campus, a learning hub, and a home for purpose-driven businesses all rolled into one.

Discovering Re-store: Upcycling with Purpose

One of the highlights of my visit was spending time with the team at Re-store, a social enterprise anchored in the belief that sustainability and inclusion should go hand in hand. Re-store collects discarded or surplus textiles and transforms them into purposeful products such as accessories, home goods, and apparel. But it’s more than just a recycling initiative, it’s a movement that values people as much as materials.

Re-store's Brand Values

Re-store is built on three core pillars: conscious design, inclusive employment, and circularity.

Conscious Design

Each product is created with intention. Designs reflect minimalist aesthetics with maximum impact practical, beautiful, and made from materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Inclusive Employment

Re-store provides skills training and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities and individuals from marginalised communities. Their production studio is a learning space where compassion meets craftsmanship.

Circularity

At the heart of Re-store is a commitment to closing the loop. They work with both consumers and businesses to upcycle textile waste, extending the life of materials and reducing landfill loads. Through their growing B2B partnerships, Re-store is collaborating with like-minded corporates to scale this impact helping organisations reduce waste and give back meaningfully.

Their products aren't just handmade, they're heart-made. From tote bags lined with offcut fabric to coin pouches crafted from worn-out uniforms, each item carries a story of transformation.

As someone pursuing a Master’s in Fashion Sustainability, standing in Re-store’s studio felt like stepping into a real-world application of all the theories we study. Here, circular fashion isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a lived practice rooted in empathy and equity.

Autism Resource Centre: Creating Pathways to Independence

Another standout of the Enabling Village is the presence of the Autism Resource Centre (ARC), a non-profit organisation committed to empowering autistic individuals across Singapore. The ARC operates The Art Faculty, a unique social enterprise retail store located within the Village.

The Art Faculty: Empowering Neurodiverse Creativity

The Art Faculty is more than just a shop, it’s a platform. It showcases artwork, designs, and products made by talented artists on the autism spectrum. From stationery and homeware to collaborative fashion collections, every item sold represents not only a piece of creative expression, but also a step towards financial independence for the artists involved.

Profits from The Art Faculty go directly to the artists and fund ARC’s support services, which include vocational training, early intervention, education, and employment coaching. Many of the artists represented in the store have developed recognisable styles and even licensed collaborations with mainstream brands.

What’s more, the retail store itself is staffed by individuals on the spectrum, providing them with valuable workplace experience and building confidence through real-world interactions.

Walking through the space, I was moved by the energy of the artworks bold lines, vibrant colours, and imaginative forms that express inner worlds in ways words often cannot. It’s a vivid reminder of how diverse perspectives enrich our collective experience.

A Tapestry of Inclusion

Both Re-store and The Art Faculty are reminders that sustainability isn’t just about saving the environment, it’s about reimagining systems to be more humane, creative, and fair.

At the Enabling Village, these enterprises are not tucked away in separate corners, they are integrated into a vibrant ecosystem that includes wellness spaces, cafes, gardens, and learning centres. This inclusive setting encourages daily interaction between people with and without disabilities, breaking down stigma through shared experience.

Volunteering: A Personal Step Forward

This visit has deeply affirmed my desire to volunteer with Re-store. I see it as an opportunity to complement my academic research with hands-on contribution. Having spent years designing for fast fashion and now studying sustainability, I’m ready to bridge the two worlds by offering support, sharing ideas, and learning from those creating slow, meaningful change.

Volunteering here would allow me to support their B2B partnerships, contribute ideas around ethical sourcing and storytelling, and help advocate for a fashion industry that values both people and planet.

Closing Thoughts: Fashion as a Tool for Connection

As I reflect on my experience, I’m reminded of how far fashion can go when stripped of ego and re-rooted in community. The Enabling Village isn't just a location, it's a philosophy. It brings together accessibility, environmental consciousness, and social responsibility in a way that feels effortless, even joyful.

This is the kind of space that every city needs not just for persons with disabilities, but for everyone searching for connection, dignity, and purpose.

Want to know more about the heart behind Wilde Hippi?

If you're new here or curious to explore more, I’d love to invite you to visit my About page. It’s where I share the deeper roots of my journey—from my early days as a designer in fast fashion to the moment I chose a different path rooted in sustainability, storytelling, and soul-led living. Over in the blog archives, you’ll also find monthly reflections, creative experiments, and glimpses into projects that have shaped Wilde Hippi so far. Whether you’re here to learn, unlearn, or simply pause with me welcome. This space is as much yours as it is mine.

Curious about how nature, emotion, and creativity weave through my work?

Take a moment to explore my photography series, What do you see? a visual meditation born from quiet nature walks and mirrored images that invite you to look deeper. These pieces emerged during a time of inner reflection, capturing the textures, shadows, and soul of the natural world. I’d love to hear what surfaces for you when you view them. Let your imagination wander, and feel free to message me with what you see.

Thanks for walking this journey with me. 🌸

With gratitude,
Tala 🌿 💚