What a great repair cafe. We had over 60 items in for repair. With the help of 12 fixers on hand we made light work and helped a lot of people.
We had so much fun. Our biggest event yet. So many people and fixes.
We hope to be back again soon.
We had a blast running a Repair Cafe at Dublin Maker. The Lord Mayor of Dublin even dropped by to check out the repairs.
We have run our first cafe. It was such a brilliant event. we had great support from lots of other community groups.
On the day we ran from 11am till 4pm. We had around 50 people in the space over the course of the event. A bit of a drop at lunchtime but in the morning and the afternoon we were packed.
In total we had 8 repairers, 2 front of house helpers. We tried to repair 36 items. It ranged from radios, saws, sewing things, picture frames, toys, blenders and so much more.
Learnings from the event.
Insurance was our biggest problem. In the end, we had to add product liability insurance to our already public liability. We also had to send a member to go get PAT testing training and the buying the PAT testers itself. Sadly it turns out you have to also get it calibrated each year at another cost.
I think I am rambling at this stage but I am happy to give any more information or help out other cafes get going. We plan on putting on another one in three months time.
For our repair café it is our intention to run this from the TOG Hacker Space on the Kylemore road. Within the space we have access to tools and equipment and have a number of experienced fixers to assist us.
Within the space we already run a number of social and maker related events so this repair cafe we simply be another way we can work with the community.
We intend to repair small goods, small electronics, bicycles and leather goods.
The money intended to be spent on advertisements, tools and refreshments for events.
We intend to run events once a quarter and advertise it widely to the community at large.
We have secured PAT testing training for two members and intended to purchase a PAT testing machine to ensure we remain to high standards of electrical testing.
In addition we have confirmed our insurance will cover the safe running of the cafe.
