Our first repair café event was held at Greyfriars on Saturday 27th April. 31 repairs were undertaken, with 57kg of waste saved from landfill by being repaired.
Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things (together). On clothes, furniture, small electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, appliances, toys, etcetera.
Visitors bring their broken items from home. Together with volunteer specialists they start making their repairs in the Repair Café. It’s an ongoing learning process.
Upcoming dates are Saturday 11th May, and then on the second Saturday monthly, ie 8th June and 13th July. If you intend coming along, please email details of what needs fixing to ringwoodrepaircafeuk@gmail.com and we’ll endeavour to ensure there’s someone appropriately skilled there to assist you.
Even if you have nothing to repair, why not come along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, a piece of cake and have a natter? Or maybe you can lend a hand with someone else’s repair job?
How does it work?
On arrival you are asked to check in at our reception desk to register your name and item requiring a repair. You will be asked to complete some simple paperwork with one of our volunteers. This registration is important as we are required to record the repairs we have undertaken for statistical purposes. You will also be asked about consent for your photograph to be taken.
Inevitably there do need to be some operational guidelines that we will operate the cafe within. These will be drawn to your attention. When you register to attend an event you will be considered to have accepted our rules which will also be prominently displayed in the venue for all to read.
Your personal data will not be used for any other purpose than recording your visit. We’ll ask for your email address (there’s no obligation to give it) as we intend to send reminder notices before each café in case people have something that needs fixing.
Once registration has been completed you will either be directed to an appropriate repairer or be asked to wait in the seating area until one becomes available.
Your repairer will discuss the fault with you and then attempt to diagnose it and a remedy with you. You are encouraged to sit with the repairer whilst your repair is being undertaken. You can discuss the fault symptoms and even assist the repairer.
Do I have to pay?
No. Ringwood Repair Cafe is run entirely by volunteers and there is no charge for undertaking your repair or for the refreshments (and cake!) available to visitors.
However you may wish to show your appreciation by giving a donation. Donations support our running costs or purchase new equipment, and will allow us to keep the monthly sessions for the benefit of all. A card reader will be available, but cash is also accepted.
What items can be repaired?
Small items that you can carry into the Repair Café. Such as:
- jewellery and accessories
- clothes (darning, hemming, buttons)
- documents and books (re-binding, repairing frayed edges)
- wooden items (chairs)
- pedal bikes & scooters
- electrical items (vacuum cleaners, bedside lamps, toasters etc.)
- computers
If you’re uncertain whether we can help, just email ringwoodrepaircafeuk@gmail.com with some details.
What can’t we repair?
For safety and to avoid competing with local businesses, we don’t repair:
- Microwaves
- Welding
- Safety equipment
- Domestic white goods, eg washing machine, cooker.
Alas, we’re also unable to undertake sharpening of small garden tools (shears, knives etc.) but we do know a lovely lady who can help you and we’ll give you her contact details!