When is the next repair cafe?

Here is another set of images taken whilst repairing an old tatty sofa donated to us. We are happy with the result and can't wait for someone to pick this piece to put into their home.

Here is a series of photos from one of our upcycling/repair workshops, we had around 10 members in who worked on revamping this rattan coffee table. We're all excited with the finished outcome!
Our Repair Café is open to the public every Monday - we originally had the workshop open from 10am-12pm but it has been so successful that we are now extending the time till 3pm!

Through the funding we received from ChangeX, we have been able to set up a Repair Café workshop full of tools and equipment that helps us to engage with our local community by upcycling furniture and upskilling our members. So far, we have been able to set up two separate groups which has enabled us to interact with a wider audience of both men and women – one focusing on the upcycling and upholstery of small furniture and the other on larger items in need of repair.

These classes provide those in need with useful skills and a safe space where they’re able to socialise with people in similar situations; helping to improve their mental health over time. This funding has been a great help to our centre and with it we have managed to reach a diverse demographic of people with a passion to upcycle and release their creativity.

Action plan:

Timeline:

• Depending on when we receive funding. We would like to have the necessary equipment ordered and delivered by mid-April. Between the start of April and the start of May will be our time to advertise and spread the word on the Repair Café. Hopefully running a soft launch by the start of May this year.

March (securing funding) – April (ordering equipment and advertising) – May (soft launch)

• Our team will meet quarterly. We will have set dates to discuss how we track and reflect on our progress (attendance numbers, repair numbers and emissions prevented), these meetings will discuss how we can maintain the success of or grow the repair café – comparing this with the information we use to quantify its success.

Budget:

We plan on splitting the seed funding into 3 sections:

• Set up - tables, chairs and other essential items of furniture needed to cater for the repair café. ~ £800


• General tools - we have consulted with other members of staff on the necessary equipment needed to start the repair café. ~ £300


• Running costs – bits of equipment to be purchased as and when needed for the members of the repair café, along with food and drink provisions. ~ £300

Impact:

• Community benefit – Our repair café will offer a much-needed cheaper alternative to replacing equipment and will also help with tackling social isolation within the community, acting as both a functional and social amenity.


• How would we measure – We would measure our success through several points:

- Items repaired (emissions prevented. How many kg of CO2 emissions have been prevented from repairing _? number of devices?)

- Socially (through attendance numbers including those who keep returning)

- Further support (who from our repair café has gone on to access further support from another one of our available services. ESOL, Men’s Sheds etc.)

Location:

• Location – St Vincent’s, Allenby House, Rees Way, BD3 0DZ (within Café)


• As we are already the tenants of the centre, permission and permits will not be an issue.


• In terms of liability, the necessary paperwork will be made in order to make clear our approach/goal with this project and also to clarify how we are not responsible for the products and/or items brought into the centre.


• We are also conscious of the fact that people may use this service as a way to get rid of broken items. It will be made clear that if the item is broken (unrepairable) the owner of said item will have to properly dispose of it themselves. We are wanting to help our local community reduce its waste output, not further increase the waste output of the St Vincent’s Social Enterprise.