In an age of rising costs and environmental concerns, more communities are turning to a simple, brilliant idea: Repair Cafés.
Imagine a regular pop-up event where people bring broken household items, from toasters to trousers and, with the help of skilled volunteers, fix them rather than throw them away. It’s good for your wallet, good for the planet, and great for the community spirit. So, could we start one here in Broadclyst Parish?
What is a Repair Café?
A Repair Café is a community-run space where volunteers help people fix everyday items. It might be small electrical appliances, bikes, furniture, clothes, toys or even garden tools. The idea is not only to save items from landfill, but also to pass on repair skills and create a welcoming social space where people can have a cup of tea, a chat, and leave with something fixed, or at least a better idea of what to do next.
Why Broadclyst?
We’re a practical, community-minded parish, with a growing population and a strong tradition of volunteering. A Repair Café fits perfectly with our values: self-reliance, sustainability, and neighbourliness. And with so many people facing tighter budgets, the opportunity to get help repairing rather than replacing makes even more sense. Add to that the benefit of reducing waste and carbon emissions, and it’s a win-win for everyone.
Where Could It Happen?
One possibility is Clyst Caring, who already host events and do brilliant work connecting people locally. But we’re open to other suggestions too – maybe the Victory Hall or the Pavilions or The Dome – We Need Volunteers!
To get a Repair Café off the ground, we’re looking for:
- Repairers: Do you have a knack for fixing things? We especially need people who can mend small electrical items, bikes, clothing, toys, or sharpen tools.
- Hosts: Friendly faces to greet visitors, serve tea and help run the session.
- Organisers: Help with planning, publicity, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Even if you’re not sure what you could offer, we’d love to hear from you. Every little bit helps, and it’s a fantastic way to meet people and give back to the community.
Interested?
If you’d like to be involved, or simply want to find out more, please get in touch by emailing or leaving your name at the Clyst Caring office and we’ll be in touch. With enough interest, we could run a trial event this autumn.
Let’s help Broadclyst parish become a little more mending-minded and a lot more connected.
This article was written by Paula Fernley of the Broadclyst Environment Group.