A total of 32 items were repaired at its launch event, ranging from a broken hair dryer, a DVD player… and even a new bobble on a hat
VOLUNTEERS at the city’s newest repair cafe invited the community down to St Isan’s church in Llanishen to have broken items repaired for free.
The event was organised by the Llanishen Eco Group, a community project which aims to promote sustainability and reduce waste.
Among the volunteers offering their services was 63-year-old Nigel, known to his children as ‘Daddy Fixit’, who began volunteering at another repair café in Ely five years ago.
“Unfortunately, we have a situation where people don’t feel like they can fix things and instead just chuck them away. I’m volunteering here today to hopefully turn things away from landfill,” Nigel said.
“I was brought up on a farm, far from anywhere, and that meant that if you couldn’t fix what was broken you simply couldn’t use it. You could say that fixing things is in my blood.
“Cycle repairs are my forte, but I’ll try my hand at anything to help out.”
Image: Nigel hopes to turn items away from landfill. Credit: Joe Hearn
Café assistant Karin Gustavsson, 39, moved to Cardiff a year ago and began volunteering to meet people in her community.
“I heard about the repair café through litter picking, and thought it would be right up my street,” Ms Gustavsson said.
“I love fixing and mending things at home, and I love any opportunity to meet like-minded people, which can happen at events like these.”
Inspired by her mum, she developed a passion for textiles and upholstery and volunteered at the event mending broken and ripped clothing.
“Today I’ve fixed a bobble on a gentleman’s hat who didn’t want to let it go, and I’ve just changed a zip on a pair of trousers, which I haven’t had much experience with, so it was a bit of a challenge.
“But this is what I was hoping for coming today, helping people out while also learning myself – and I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot more zips coming my way in the future,” she explains
Co-founder and chair of the group, councillor Bethan Proctor said: “There’s six or seven volunteers within the group, and we all have the aim to make the area of Llanishen more friendly and sustainable.
“I saw other areas of Cardiff offering repair cafés and thought it was an amazing idea. Over-consumerism is a massive problem, and if there is a way we can fix things that we already have, it goes a long way to helping tackle climate change.
“This event is 18 months in the making. We were given a very generous donation from Wales and West Housing which helped pay for the insurance for the venue, the PAT testing kits, refreshments, and help with promotion. Without it, the repair café wouldn’t have been able to run,” she explained.
Mark Morgan, 60, has been a resident of Llanishen all his life and attended the event after seeing an advertisement in a local shop.
“I’ve brought down a broken hairdryer, a fan that has just been collecting dust in the corner of my bedroom, and a battery charger that isn’t holding its charge,” Mr Morgan said.
“Normally I’d try and repair them myself, but I don’t have the right tools to do it, so I’m hoping someone here does.
“I’ve got other items at home which are too big to bring here today, but if this is successful, maybe I’ll bring them along next time.”
In attendance at the launch of the repair café were members of the Welsh government, including MS for Cardiff North, Julie Morgan.
“This event is very much in line from what we want from the Welsh government. Wales is now second in the world for recycling, and we need to move away from our throwaway society,” Ms Morgan said.
Also in attendance was Anna McMorrin, MP for Cardiff North, who said: “This is a fantastic initiative that brings the community together. And what’s more amazing, it is completely volunteer-led.
“It not only encourages people to have a chat, a cup of tea or a cake, but more importantly, be able to get something mended that is going to be beneficial for their lives.
“For these initiatives to work, people need to be invested in the community, which our councillors and volunteers definitely are.”
The Llanishen Eco Group hopes to run more repair cafes in the future.
- If you would like to get involved, or would like more information email Llanishenecogroup@gmail.com
