Source: Alison Alexander, Oswestry Borders Repair Cafe
Repair and Repair Cafés
Our society has become a 'throw away society', and it is easy to say 'just buy a new one', but now repairing is coming back into, not just fashion, but into household electrics, technology, woodwork, children’s toys, furniture, and bikes!
A movement to start repairing has started, and as well as being incredibly good for the environment, it's good for your bank account. Many things are easily mended and 'as good as new'.
Repair cafés, in their simplest form, are pop up events held on regular dates where the local community can get their broken household items repaired for free by volunteers. They are called 'cafés' because there is often the opportunity to relax with a hot cup of tea whilst the repair is taking place. You can also watch the repair, and often there is the opportunity to learn how to repair things yourself if you get interested.
Find out what happens at a Repair Café here.
Powys Repair Cafes
A number of communities in Powys are hosting these events; currently they are run in Llanfyllin, Llangattock, Montgomery, Newtown, Machynlleth and Presteigne - and more are being started.
See the Repair Café Wales website for an up-to-date list of venues, and our organisation and events listings for your local event.
Go along to a Repair Cafe, either to get something mended, or go just to be nosey - they are very friendly!
Become a Repair Cafe 'Mender'
Are you good at mending something, or interested in learning how to?
Become one of the menders at your local Repair Cafe, or let them know you are interested in learning how to mend.
If you are good at mending things and would like to volunteer at a Repair Café, contact or go along to your local event to have a chat. The kinds of things that often need mending are:
- Clothing / Textiles
- Bicycles
- Toys
- Electrical Appliances
- Furniture / Wooden Objects
- Electronics
- PCs / Laptops
- Jewellery
Start a Repair Cafe
If you would like to start a Repair Café in your area, contact your nearest one to see what happens, and contact Repair Café Wales, who nurture new Repair Cafés with lots and lots of advice, pre-made forms and support.
Start a Repair Cafe in your area, there is a lot of support to help you. Have a read of Start a Repair Cafe.
Repair Guides to Repair it Yourself - including Tech
Their website offers, in conjunction with iFixit, tens of thousands of free repair guides in words and pictures. You can use them to get started at home, but also to make a repair in the Repair Café.
Hop over here and also you can use the search box on this page to find a guide on how to mend your broken item
How Repair Cafes Started
Repair Cafes were started in Amsterdam and there are now hundreds of them spread across the world.
The Repair Café was initiated by Martine Postma. Martine organised the very first Repair Café in Amsterdam, on October 18, 2009, which was a great success. Read more here.
Community Groups
The Hanging Gardens (The Wilderness Trust) Llanidloes
The Hanging Gardens (The Wilderness Trust) - discover more
BRACE Llanfyllin
BRACE - discover more
Llandrindod Repair Cafe Llandrindod Wells
Llandrindod Repair Cafe - discover more
Repair Café Wales Crickhowell
Repair Café Wales - discover more
Presteigne Repair and Share Presteigne
Presteigne Repair and Share - discover more
Montgomery Energy Group LLANDYSSIL
Montgomery Energy Group - discover more
Repair Cafe Llangattock Llangattock
Repair Cafe Llangattock - discover more
the Wilderness Trust LLANIDLOES
the Wilderness Trust - discover more
Oswestry Borders Repair Cafe Oswestry & Llanfyllin
Oswestry Borders Repair Cafe - discover more
Businesses and Suppliers
The Hanging Gardens Llanidloes
The Hanging Gardens - discover more
Bike To The Future Newtown
Bike To The Future - discover more
Page last modified: 08 Feb 2023, 11:57
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