Darlington volunteers are urging residents to repair, not replace, at a monthly Fix It Café.
Residents are being encouraged to bring broken household items back to life rather than throw them away when the monthly Darlington event returns later this month.
The volunteer-run event, held at The Hub in Darlington Friends’ Meeting House on Skinnergate, offers free repairs to everything from electrical items and clothing to umbrellas and children’s toys.
The next session takes place on Saturday, July 25, from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm.
Organiser Cat McConnachie said the café helps families save money while reducing waste and supporting the growing "right to repair" movement.
She said: "We like to think we are helping to save the world, stitch by stitch.
"Single-use of resources is an existential threat to the planet.
"Repair cafés help reduce landfill, cut emissions from manufacturing and deliveries, and can make a real difference to people’s budgets.
"They can even help with the cost of living.
"A repaired kettle means someone doesn’t have to buy a new one."
The cafe is a real family affair. Cat's partner Matthew Snedker is a local Green Party councillor and daughter Ellie is active in the borough’s ecological movement.
The Darlington café is supported by a team of volunteer repairers, including electronics specialists, sewing enthusiasts and DIY experts.
Repairs are free but visitors are welcome to make donations.
Volunteer Beverley Lawson said the group also teaches people simple repair skills.
"We can show people how to repair zips themselves, for instance, so they don’t need to buy a new pair of jeans," she said.
Read more
Boot clean event held to support Darlington charity set up in memory of teenager
Darlington community choir unites 200 people for feel-good summer concert in town
Solar boost for Darlington bee apiary as school visits and community use set to soar
"If something needs specialist work, we’ll point people towards local businesses rather than take work away from them."
Repair Cafes were founded in 2009 by Dutch journalist Martina Postma, who organised the first event in Amsterdam. Now they are a global phenomenon.
In the North East, as well as Darlington, they operate in Middlesbrough, Durham, Stokesley, Northallerton, Gateshead and elsewhere. Customers don’t have to pay but many give what they feel they can afford.
Share