Every month fixers gather at the Oasis Centre to mend the community’s broken things
REPAIR Cafe Splott has started working with Benthyg Cymru, the Library of Shared Things, to give residents of Splott access to new tools alongside the opportunity to repair items they already own.
It was the first time that Benthyg Cymru was involved during a Repair Cafe. The idea behind the library is that people can borrow a variety of items instead of having to buy them.
Volunteers from around Cardiff turn up to fix things in Splott every month to help people save money and save unnecessary waste.
“In terms of the mental health of the fixers it is like a tonic.
The benefits are pretty widespread, there is obviously saving money for people but also it saves waste,” said volunteer Grant Cockerill.
Mr Cockerill runs the Repair Cafe based in South Riverside and described how volunteering was beneficial for the fixers and those coming to the cafe.
Many volunteers spoke about the positive feeling of getting involved with the community for a good cause and the benefits of helping people.
“I always like to be part of something and not on my own — I need community involvement,” said volunteer Mel Hobday.
“I like fixing things and I’d like to put that skill to good use,” said research scientist Ed Sayers. He had turned up to volunteer as a fixer for the first time.
Eirol Evans, 23, who has volunteered at the Repair Cafe for five years, said: “The nicest times are when you can tell the item is really important to someone.”
Repair Cafe Splott runs once a month and this month’s items included a bike, pushchair, broken picture frame, toaster, keyboard and a variety of rusty tools.
Will Gowers recalled one of his strangest fixes. It was an old pepper grinder in the shape of a wine bottle from Germany.
Dan Harling’s most impressive fix was an embroidery machine which he discovered needed a specialist part worth £10 to fix it.
Naomi England, volunteer co-ordinator for Benthyg’s Mobile Repair and Reuse project, said: “We want a presence at every Repair Cafe in Cardiff.”
Ms England is one of the volunteers who drives Benthyg’s van, delivering tools to areas of Cardiff which do not have a nearby centre.
If you have got anything broken or needing mending there will be another event in December. Look out for news on the Repair Cafe Splott Facebook page.
