Volunteers set up “repair cafe” to reduce landfill

A TEAM of volunteers has set up Warrington’s first repair café in a bid to bring the community together and help prevent items from going to landfill.
Birchwood Repair Café is held on the third Saturday of every month from 10am to 12pm at Birchwood Youth and Community Centre on Delenty Drive in Birchwood, opposite the police station.
Members of the public can bring along broken items such as laptops, electronic gadgets, bikes, clothes, costume jewellery and small items of furniture and have them repaired by skilled volunteers. All repairs are free of charge but donations are welcome and every penny raised is put back into running the café.
Tea, coffee, homemade cake and light refreshments are on sale and visitors are encouraged to sit with the repairer and watch them fix their items to learn new skills while they wait.
Locking Stumps resident Stewart Lever was one of the café’s founding members. He said:
“A group of us decided to set up the Repair Café after hearing about the concept and thinking what a great idea it was.
“It works so well because not only does it help prevent items from going to landfill, it brings the community together and teaches people new skills. It’s also the perfect opportunity to sit down, meet new people and enjoy a slice of delicious homemade cake!
“None of it would be feasible without our fantastic team of repairer, meet and greet, and catering volunteers, of course, who give up their time to make the Repair Café such a success. So far they’ve repaired everything from bikes and computers, to children’s toys and clothes!”
The next Repair Café is on Saturday October 20, from 10am to 12pm at Birchwood Youth and Community Centre.