A repair café is a free community event where people can fix broken items with the help of volunteers. Repair cafés are part of a grassroots movement to reduce waste and encourage people to repair items instead of buying new ones.
Dyffryn Peris:
TECSTILIAU host a Repair Café on the second Sunday of every month in Y Bedol, Bethel from 1-3pm – details on their Facebook page. GwyrddNi originally supported the group to set it up, and we support the café from time to time. Repair cafés have also been held in Llanrug, with the hope of doing more in the future.
A video of Bethel Repair Café on Prynhawn Da, S4C: https://www.facebook.com/PrynhawnDaS4C/videos/1404428036813961
Bro Ffestiniog:
In Bro Ffestiniog, the Sharing and Fixing Stuff group (Rhannu Stwff a Thrwsio) emerged from the Community Assemblies – you can join the WhatsApp group here! One intention is to collaborate with the maker space on the high street of Blaenau Ffestiniog where FFIWS and the Library of Things aim to host repair cafés.
At the moment, FFIWS volunteers are happy to try and fix your items and you can volunteer with them: https://www.drefwerdd.cymru/en/repair-cafe-ffiws
Dyffryn Nantlle
A Repair Café is held in Yr Orsaf, Penygroes once a month, usually on a Saturday. Follow Yr Orsaf on Facebook, follow their newsletter or contact cylchol.yrosaf@gmail.com for details.
See EVERY Repair Café in Wales on the calendar at: Repair Café Wales.
What do people fix at repair cafés?
Electronics, mechanical devices, computers, bicycles, clothing, and sentimental items.
What are the benefits of repair cafés?
Saving money: You can repair your items instead of buying new ones
Reducing waste: You can avoid throwing away broken items, which may go to landfill
Reducing carbon emissions: You save resources and save energy by not having new things made for you
Strengthening social cohesion: Come together with the community to learn new skills and share knowledge
How do repair cafés work?
You bring along your items to the space where the café is happening. Volunteers repair your items – if possible! Sometimes, it will be necessary to go elsewhere, and they will advise you on where.
You can learn how to fix your items so you can do it yourself at home. There’s a cup of tea and cake available while you wait, and there’s a donation box if you’d like to contribute towards the running costs of the repair café after you’ve got your item back.
The idea of ”repair cafés” started in the Netherlands in 2009, although the idea of fixing things of course goes back much, much further!
It is part of the wider idea of creating a circular economy, where things are repaired and recycled (or up-cycled) instead of being thrown away. Also, instead of each person needing to have a sewing machine or a set of repair tools, the idea is that communities share items to reduce overproduction (and the need for storage space).
More:
The Global Repair Cafe movement
What is the Circular Economy? (3 minute video)
About the Right to Repair Movement
Want to volunteer at a repair cafe or start one in your area? The best thing to do is contact https://repaircafewales.org/ – but you’re also welcome to get in touch with us about support in setting it up!
