Repair Café will be returning to Weston!
Throwing stuff away because it’s uneconomic to repair is bad for our planet and our pockets.
Repair Cafés are places to bring small electricals, clothing, toys, jewellery, bicycles, etc, for repair. We have skilled volunteers willing to advise and assist with repairs. FOC.
Weston Repair Café will be held at:
Christ Church, Montpelier
From 10am to 12:30pm (last admission at 12 noon).
For more information go to North Somerset Repair Café page on Facebook or e-mail: westonrepaircafe@gmail.com
Community Café serving drinks and snacks open to all.
What is Repair Café?
Repair Café started in Amsterdam in 2009 and is now a global organisation. In line with international initiatives to reduce climate change, as a society we need to move away from the “disposable” mindset. Each time we throw away an item, we are consigning some of the earth’s precious resources to landfill and using up more of these resources to replace the items. By making things last a bit longer we can work together to reduce our environmental impact and “fixing things” can be great fun too! Within the Church space, volunteer repairers from the community will set up work stations and aim to help anyone to repair their portable household or personal items which may otherwise have been destined for the bin.
What kinds of things can I bring to the Repair Café?
Small electrical appliances, electronic devices, clothing and fabrics, small items of furniture, housewares, bicycles, toys, jewellery, clocks, etc. – so most things that are broken and which you can manage to carry on your own to the Repair Café. Always depending on the skills and assessment of the volunteer repairers available at the session. We do not attempt repairs to microwaves.
Can I bring more than one item?
Yes, but please be aware that we will ask you to prioritise your items on registration and we may not be able to look at every item that you bring depending on the availability of repairers with the right skill set and how busy the Repair Café is. We will see items in order of arrival.
When does Repair Café take place?
Generally one Saturday morning per month at Christ Church. The re-launch will take place on 8 October 2022 from 10am till 12:30pm (with the last admission at 12 noon). Going forward it will operate on the second Saturday of the month (same timings) but will not open in December or August each year. Please check dates on the Church website or North Somerset Repair Café Facebook page for up to date information.
Details of the other Repair Cafés operating in North Somerset can be found on the North Somerset Repair Café Facebook page.
Can I also drop by at times other than the given opening times?
No, Repair Cafés are not open every day. They are neighbourhood gatherings that only take place on certain days at arranged times. If you drop by at other times you won’t find any repairers at hand.
We ask you to sit with the repairer who is looking at your item so that they can discuss with you what they are going to do to try to mend your item and you can learn some fixing skills too! Our repairers never guarantee that they can mend your item or how long the repair may last – they are simply doing their best to mend something that was destined for the bin.
Do I have to register if I wish to visit the Repair Café?
No you can visit Repair Cafés without registering first. We do ask you for some basic information on arrival and feedback when you leave so that we can quantify the benefits to our community. We also ask you to agree to the House Rules by signing the back of your Registration Form but this will all be explained to you on your first visit.
I have a broken washing machine/armchair etc. that is too heavy to take to the Repair Café. Do you also make house calls?
No. Repair Café is not a repair service, but a meeting place where people come together to mend broken items. We may be able to advise where repairs could be done.
How much does it cost to mend things in the Repair Café?
Advice and help from volunteer repairers in the Repair Café is free of charge but a voluntary donation is very much appreciated! These donations will be used to cover any costs and to give a contribution to the Church for heating and lighting etc. We are very grateful to have this terrific building to use for such an important community project.
If any parts are needed, the volunteer repairer will try to advise you how to obtain the parts and you can then bring the item and part back next month or take it to one of the other local Repair Cafés for final repair.
Do I have to bring a broken item or can I just come for a cuppa and chat?
The Church will be offering refreshments in a café setting and absolutely you do not need to bring a broken item with you in order to drop in for a cuppa and to see what is going on. We do hope that this will soon become a popular meeting place for all ages within our community. Please give us a go – you’ll be made very welcome!