#DIY and #RepairCafes have gone mainstream!

MAKE DO AND MEND From repair cafes to YouTube videos, how you could save HUNDREDS of pounds fixing broken belongings

Learn tips on how to keep your goods going for longer

by Harriet Cooke, Consumer reporter
14 Mar 2025

Excerpt: "If you’re not hands-on, another solution is to find a local repair cafe.

"There are more than 140 in the UK.

"Professional organiser Janine McDonald, 54, who runs Clear The Clutter Now, visited her local branch in Boothstown, near Manchester, with her 14-year-old Dyson DC24.

"'The motor had gone and it would have cost more than £100 to send it to Dyson to fix.

"'I fixed part of it by watching YouTube but it still wasn’t right, so I took it to my local repair cafe.'"

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/33860996/save-hundreds-of-pounds-fixing-broken-belongings/
#DIYVideos #FixIt #RepairCafe #RepairCafesUK #SolarPunkSunday

#MadisonNJ Rotary, Grace church, #RepairCafe team up for free ‘#Repair, #Reuse, and #Recycle’ event on April 12

Mar 13, 2025

MADISON, NJ – "The Repair Cafe, an event during which volunteers help make all possible repairs of various items for free, is coming to Grace Episcopal Church at 4 Madison Ave. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12.

"The event will be hosted by the Madison Rotary, Grace Episcopal Church and the Repair Cafe.

"#Repairers will show attendees how the repairs are made and what tools are needed.

"All types of items can be brought in including lamps, bicycles, clothing and other fabric items, small appliances, wooden things, jewelry, toys, knives in need of sharpening, phones and computers. Items should be small enough to be carried in by one person. No gasoline motors or hazardous materials are allowed.

"There will be a #TechTable, where experts will help with #troubleshooting settings and software on phones and computers, as well as repairs on other tech items. There will be no screen replacements.

"The Kids’ Take-Apart Table will return. Children will get to take apart common items with supervision including laptops, small appliances and toys.

"The last repairs will start at 2:30 p.m. and will be on a first come, and repairs will be made on a first come, first serve basis. If possible, attendees are asked to email Paul Lemaire at pjlema@gmail.com to tell the repairers what they will be bringing in.

"The repairers always looking for new volunteers to join the team. Expert repairers with their own tools and people who want to help out with logistics and organization are welcome. There is no age requirement, and volunteers have ranged from their teens to their 80s."

Original article:
https://www.newjerseyhills.com/madison_eagle/news/madison-rotary-grace-church-repair-cafe-team-up-for-free-repair-reuse-and-recycle-event/article_b76c02ac-fea1-11ef-b252-df808ac040a8.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/LA2lo#selection-2647.0-2667.12

#KentUK #RepairCafé celebrates decade of reducing waste

Story by Zac Sherratt - BBC News, March 8, 2025

"A Kent repair café which has become a 'cornerstone of sustainability and community spirit' is celebrating a decade since its launch.

"#FavershamRepairCafé runs on the second Saturday of each month at The Spire Church, and this month's session will be exactly 10 years since it began.

"The café's volunteers have repaired more than 2,800 items, from household appliances to cherished personal belongings.

"Founder and chairman Prof Martin Charter said he and the team were looking forward to reducing waste and strengthening community bonds for years to come.

"Prof Charter began a series of pilot repair cafés in 2014 before officially launching the project the following year.

[...]

"More than 6,000 people have visited the café, all playing their part in diverting an estimated 7.5 tonnes of waste from #landfills and saving roughly 70.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions."

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/repair-caf%C3%A9-celebrates-decade-of-reducing-waste/ar-AA1AuKCf
#RepairCafes #RepairCafesUK #SolarPunkSunday #FixIt #RightToRepair

#OrilliaOntario - Need something fixed? #Orillia #RepairCafé returning in April

Event taking place April 5 at St. James' Anglican Church

Mar 14, 2025

"Local residents are invited to bring their broken or torn possessions to St. James’ Church on Saturday, April 5 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), where 'fixers' will be on hand to make repairs and turn their 'trash' into 'treasure' at the eighth Orillia Repair Café, which takes place twice a year.

"The event is supported by local volunteers and Sustainable Orillia, St. James’ Anglican Church and Lake Country Time Trade.

"Light refreshments will be provided as well as child-friendly activities. A new feature this year will be '#BookSwaps,' one for adults and one for children. The café has a friendly and fun ambience and combines an enjoyable family activity with a rewarding outcome.

"Annalise Stenekes has led the project since its inception and has gathered a dedicated and talented team of fixers who will attempt to repair a variety of items, including bicycles, lamps, home appliances, sewing machines, jewelry and audio/visual and computer equipment. Small furniture items will be repaired, clothing and footwear mended and toys given new life.

"Last year, 230 kilograms of items were given a new lease on life, diverting potential waste from the #landfill and saving an estimated $1,000.

"'#Repairing and #reusing broken items, as opposed to disposing of them and purchasing new ones, is a practical and meaningful contribution we can make for our environment,' says local resident Wendy Kirk. 'The Repair Café is also a feel-good place — at times the joy is tangible when someone’s prized item is restored to its former usefulness.'

"Repair Café events are happening around the world, saving money, reducing landfill waste, cutting CO2 emissions, promoting learning and fostering community connections."

Source:
https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/need-something-fixed-orillia-repair-cafe-returning-in-april-10371696
#RepairCafesOntario #RepairCafes #BuildingCommunity #SolarPunkSunday #FixIt

#RoxburyNewJersey #RepairCafe coming in May

Feb 26, 2025 Updated Feb 27, 2025

ROXBURY TWP. - "It's time to pull out all those broken or neglected items out of the dark corners, so they can be fixed.
Thanks to a new partnership among the #RoxburyPublicLibrary, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and Roxbury Township Recycling, Roxbury’s inaugural Repair Café on May 3 and October 18 will give the Roxbury community an awesome opportunity to bring in beloved items for free repairs.

"Right now the Repair organizers, spearheaded by Roxbury Public Library’s Sam Fellman, are looking to confirm volunteer '#fixers' available to help on May 3. Specifically, the Repair Café needs volunteers for: computers/electronics, jewelry, knife sharpening, toys and watches and clocks.

"'Sharing your skills to fix household items can help reduce waste and protect our #environment while passing along valuable #knowledge,' said Lake Hopatcong Foundation Education and Outreach Director Patrick Krudop. 'It’s a meaningful way to make a lasting impact.'

"Anyone who is interested in knowing more or would like to help should complete this form or email sam.fellman@roxburylibrary.org by March 14. Questions can also be directed to the Library at (973) 584-2400.

"'Once we confirm all the fixers, we will be able to announce to the public the different categories our Repair Café will offer,' said Fellman. 'We hope, with as many volunteers helping as possible, to offer a wide-variety of categories.'

"Repair Cafés are becoming increasingly popular within communities, often taking place in libraries, houses or worship, and community centers. Additional information about the May 3 event will be available once all fixers and categories are confirmed."

Original article:
https://www.newjerseyhills.com/west_morris_reporter/news/roxbury-repair-care-coming-in-may/article_5aa83fbe-f46e-11ef-9abe-8fb1f3fc62d8.html

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/ynCPx
#NewJerseyRepairCafes #SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafe #FixIt #LibrariesRule

#Alabama: #Tuscaloosa #PublicLibrary to host second #RepairCafe

by Allen Smith Mar 2, 2025

"Tuscaloosa Public Library to host second Repair Cafe

"Do you miss wearing your favorite pair of old jeans or using an old household item?

"Tuscaloosa Public Library is hosting its second Repair Cafe on March 22 from noon to 3 p.m.

"Volunteers will have stations for different categories of items and will also be there to teach attendees how to repair some items themselves.

"Organizers are also hoping to save space in local landfills."

Source:
https://www.wvua23.com/news/tuscaloosa-public-library-to-host-2nd-repair-cafe/article_c31c1184-f7ec-11ef-b01b-2f32ceacc456.html
#RepairCafesAlabama #SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #FixIt

"The Sussex Green Hub takes place on the last Saturday every month, 10am- 2.30pm, at the United Reformed Church, Horsham. It is a monthly event that offers environmental services such as our Horsham Repair Cafe."
https://www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/sussex-green-hub/
#SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafe #ZeroWaste #Recycling #SeedSwaps #Upcycling #UK

#RepairCafe #Rugby this morning. We're now doing two sessions per month and 3 hours power session. This means we're seeing about 70 items per month coming through the doors. So far we're fixing about 59%, 16% are end of life and the rest have a partial fix or are coming back for more work.

I'm happy with all that.

Morgen am 16.03.2025 um 10.30Uhr geht es im Special-Gottesdienst um die alltägliche Frage: "Kann ich das reparieren oder werfe ich es weg?“ Das #Repaircafe #Schweinfurt bietet hier Unterstützung und Hilfe an! Gemeinsam mit Mitgliedern des Teams vom Repair-Cafe zeigen wir, dass Reparieren im Vergleich zum Wegwerfen und Neukaufen meistens nicht nur der günstigere Weg ist, sondern auch die bessere Wahl, da Reparieren immer nachhaltiger im Sinne der Umwelt und der Schöpfung Gottes ist.

Heute war wieder #repairCafé in #halleSaale.
Lohnenswert wie immer: viel zu lernen, nette Leute, gute Gespräche.

At today's Levenshulme repair cafe I repaired:

- A 30 year old kitchen drawer. It was as bad as you's expect for a cheap chipboard drawer. Each corner glued, doweled and screwed to hold it together.

- The 1950s/60s coffee table from last month. I refitted the leg brackets, and then helped the client undo their attempted repair to re-glue the top. Their friend suggested self adhesive hook and loop tape.

- A trolley suitcase. The client brought it in with replacement wheels. I managed to grind out the old axles and replace the wheels.

- A saucepan. It had been dropped and was out of round so the lid didn't fit. I carefully bent it back to shape.

I also advised on a handbag clasp - the client will bring it to use at Boothstown Repair Cafe.
And also an umbrella - A main spoke was snapped and not repairable.

I lent out tools and advice to the other repairers, and it was really hectic!
I left the repaired chair, the client didn't return for it. Admin can chase them.

Do as Kevin says, not as he does!

Sometimes our volunteers do things that aren't recommended like Kevin using tweezers to test this plug.

We promise that we are insured and know what we're doing, but sometimes our fixers go rogue!

Off to Easterhouse parish church for a popup #Glasgow #RepairCafe today. We're there from 12 to 3pm if you have broken things you would like fixed.

#BoreDa bawb. Dydd #CaffiTrwsio eto. Dyn ni'n mynd i Levenshulme heddiw. A, dw i wedi anfon achwyniad i'r cyngor am y biniau. (Daeth y lorri eto y bore 'ma, ond, mae nhw wedi anwybyddu sawl biniau eto).

#GoodMorning everyone. #RepairCafe day again. We're going to Levenshulme today. And, I've sent a complaint to the council about the bins. (The lorry came again this morning, but, they have ignored several bins again).

#GoodMorningWorlds
We are off to Levenshulme Repair Cafe this morning.
Hopefully I won't be bringing back any more 'homework'.

Later this afternoon we have friends doing a flying visit to pick up some stuff from our basement.

Then we are having dinner with Mum this evening.

Einen defekten Gegenstand zu Hause, der eigentlich noch zu Gut zum Wegwerfen ist? Ein Reparaturcafé ist eine gute Anlaufstelle um unabhängig Expertise zu euren defekten Geräten zu bekommen.

Heute und die nächsten Tage in vielen Städten und Gemeinden, unter anderem in: #Renningen #Bremen #Straubing #Karlsruhe #Hamm #Neckarsulm #Oldenburg #Heidenheim #Esslingen #Erlangen #Ravensburg #Köln #Berlin #Roth

Termine und Infos:
https://www.reparatur-initiativen.de/termine

Unsere uhralt Mikrowelle ging heute plötzlich nicht mehr auf. Grund war ein abgebrochenes Teil an der Öffnungsmechanik. Hab das mal provisorisch aus Holz nachgebaut und wieder eingebaut wieder ein bisschen Elektroschrott vermieden #repair #reparatur #repaircafe