Volunteer-run repair cafes are helping people, nature and our
climate by fixing over 21,000 items for free, saving money and
reducing waste. It has reached an extraordinary milestone saving
people over £1m in free repairs.
Repair Café Wales is encouraging people to repair rather than
replace a broken item during ‘Fix-it February' and beyond, by
taking something to their local repair café to be fixed for free.
Repair Cafe Wales are aiming to fix 1,000 items over the month,
which would save as much carbon as taking a car off the road for
360,000 miles.
Anyone can bring a broken or damaged item to a repair café where
volunteers can help fix it for free – ranging from electronics
and clothing to furniture and household appliances. Repair cafés
help people make the most of the items they already have to help
tackle ‘throwaway culture'.
The Welsh Government's Circular Economy Fund has invested in
community organisations like Repair Café Wales, which has
expanded its network to over 140 repair cafés across the country.
Every month they help hundreds of people make their belongings
last.
, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for
Climate Change, visited a repair café in Carmarthen. He brought a
damaged cycling glove which was repaired by a volunteer during
his visit.
He said: “The success of Repair Café Wales shows what our
communities can achieve by working together. Powered by 1,000
dedicated volunteers each month, repair cafés are not just fixing
items, they're taking action to help the climate and saving
people money. Small changes really add up to make a difference.
“This, combined with Wales becoming second in the world for
municipal recycling, shows real progress towards ending throwaway
culture and growing a greener economy.”
Phoebe Brown, Director of Repair Café Wales, said: “We are
incredibly proud of this achievement, which is testament to the
effort and skill of our brilliant volunteers. Having an item,
such as a bike or laptop, fixed for free at one of our repair
cafes can result in a significant financial saving for a local
family, which is particularly beneficial in this current
climate.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
During February 2025, Repair Café Wales and the Welsh Government
are encouraging people to repair one item, instead of buying new,
to save money and reduce waste. There are repair cafes across
Wales that have skilled volunteers who can fix broken items for
free.
Not all repair cafes fix the same items so worth checking in
advance with them if they can repair your item(s). Common items
include clothing, small electrical items, tools, and bikes.
Opening times also vary.
Find your local repair café: https://repaircafewales.org/
