Fix it Yourself
Learn More about How - On This Page.
3711
Repair Cafes
Worldwide
418
Repair Cafes throughout
the United Kingdom
66798
On average items
repaired every month
55665
Volunteers
Fix it Yourself
Anyone visiting a waste disposal site knows only too well, that it is always busy and the very large skips fill up very quickly. We are literally throwing away millions of items that could be repaired, or may only need a facelift.
It is heartening to learn that more and more Repair Cafes are springing up around the UK they always need volunteers, maybe you can help. Some of the global partners include WD40, Leroy Merlin and Bostik. If how ever you do not have a repair cafr near you, the web site offers practical advice - find it here.
Our local authorities however have established recycling centres some with small shops attached where you might purchase items. Of course OXFAM will accept good clean working items. But you could always try fixing it yourself.
We are more resourceful today.
From changing a light bulb to working out how to make ends meet.
Don't be too surprised to learn that Gen Z 18 - 24 year old's are far more experienced in adapting social media, Facebook and YouTube to solve problems, minor to major.
In a sense they have to, GEN Z have relatively lower wealth, need to be more frugal and make real choices with their limited budget.
Fix the oven door seal, new filter in the cooker hood - no problem! YouTube seems to answer most things.
And it doesn't stop there!
Repair Cafés
Around the world, and especially so
in Europe there is
Repair Café International.
Founded by Martine Postma in 2009 in Amsterdam it has proven to be a huge success. Today there are over 3750 Repair Cafés world wide, with over 56,600 volunteers involved who are helping to repair in excess of 60500 items every month.
Across the United Kingdom in Wales, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland there are some 418 Repair Cafés to date. Stretching from the Cairngorms, through Londonderry, Fishguard, Penzance, and all the way from Carlisle to Dover.
There should be one near you, and if not - then why not start one.
From the Foundation comes this advice:
"The Repair Café teaches people to see their possessions in a new light. And, once again, to appreciate their value. Repair Café volunteers also visit schools to give repair lessons. In both these ways, the Repair Café helps change people’s mindset. This is essential to kindle people’s enthusiasm for a sustainable society".
Our Baby Boomers and Gen X can bring so much skill and knowledge to each and every community.
Repair Cafés create a sustainable village, inside every community where the words, repair, reuse, replace recycle, renovate all help to stop basically useful items from being discarded.
Naturally Sustainable join with the Repair Café is stating, how at community level we can all have our input in creating and maintaining the circular economy.
Repair Cafés do not compete with professionals, we have been a throw away society for far too long.
According to a SKY NEWS report in November 2018 - Before the Pandemic
Fewer than one in 10 people in the UK attempt to repair or restore items if they are broken, according to new research.
Nearly 22 million small pieces of furniture, more than 11,000 bicycles and over 28 million toys are binned in the UK every year after they became damaged, reports a study by North London Waste Authority (NWLA). And it isn't just in London they point out, it is a nationwide problem.
This is despite 42% of those surveyed saying they would like to learn the skills to mend what they end up throwing away.
The UK has had to double its domestic waste capacity since 2010 from 6.3 million tonnes to 13.5 million tonnes.
Post pandemic, there a new ways of caring for our possessions. Repair Cafés will give us the confidence to invest in tools of our own, carry out repairs at home on a host of different items, and even perhaps become a volunteer in a Repair Café .
We have partnered with Tooled-Up to give you
access to all types of tools and equipment.
A family business, with more than 45 years in the tools and hardware business, its honest to goodness values are reflected on Trust Pilot with hundreds of satisfied comments
Tooled Up Summer SALE is on!
This is your chance to grab quality tools and gear from trusted brands at prices too good to last.
Stock is limited, time’s running out, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Available through August, while stocks last. Terms apply.
