Chiswick Repair Cafe gives a new life to broken items
Nov 11, 2022
Think twice before throwing away something that doesn’t work. A new voluntary initiative, the Chiswick Repair Café has launched with the aim of reducing waste, sharing repair skills and enhancing the local community. The idea is that locals bring their broken or worn items to the Café and the volunteers will mend it, or advise what else can be done.
In return, visitors pay for the parts and are asked to make a donation to the Repair Café running costs.
The Chiswick Repair Café is open once a month and the next event is on Saturday 19th November, at Christ Church Turnham Green, Town Hall Avenue, London, W4 5DT, from 10.30am to 1pm.
SUCCESS FOR THE FIRST CAFE
The initiative held its first event last month and the launch coincided with International Repair Day. More than 30 broken or faulty items were brought along, most of which were successfully repaired. Over 20 volunteers with repair expertise participated in repairing, teaching skills and advising people on how to mend their items. The fixes include:
Small electrical & electronic repairs
Carpentry repairs (eg gluing chairs)
Toy repairs
Computers & laptops (not mobile phones)
Knife & tool sharpening
Sewing repairs, mending & darning
Small bike repairs
The Repair Café will help save items from being unnecessarily thrown away and contribute to a more sustainable society.
Image from Chiswick Repair Café
