MAKE DO AND MEND

Who hasn’t heard the catchy phrase ‘make do and mend’ – initiated by Ministry of Information during WWII? Resources were scarce and a campaign started to urge people to reduce their waste and to repair their own clothes. Reusing and recycling is more important than ever today as we consume more and more of the planet’s resources.

“We have found that locals are keen to keep repairable items out of landfill,” says Tony Franks, co-founder of Repair Café Conwy and FIXPERT. “We welcome anyone who wants to join us – as FIXPERTS, as cake bakers, as café helpers or meet and greet volunteers.”

The sessions – held at St Mary’s Church Hall in Conwy on every second Sunday of the month between 2 and 5pm – enables people to get more life out of broken electrical appliances like toasters and kettles, printers, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners, clothes, dolls, even chairs and leather items.

As well as saving cash, Repair Cafés play an important environmental role by preventing items from going to landfill.

Not all items can be repaired and some will have either reached the end of their life or spare parts can’t be sourced, but the success rate is around two thirds of items brought along to Repair Café.

“Fixing things is very satisfying,” explains Richard Hatton who, inspired by the world-wide movement established by Martine Potsma in 2009, has been involved since day one – sourcing funding, volunteers and a venue. “Helping people learn that they can often do it for themselves is hugely fulfilling – I learn something new from virtually every fix and, when I personally strike out, there’s always the collective wisdom of the growing team of FIXPERTS to call on. I hope many others will be inspired to join the uprising – it’s hugely empowering, builds community resilience as well as spirit and reduces waste.”

Reverend David Parry, Vicar of Conwy , can also see the benefits of the sessions. “I think that ‘Repair Cafe’ is a great example of the often untapped potential for mutual support in communities,” he says. “It has become an established part of Conwy life since October 2021, reducing waste and building friendships. Now that so many people are being forced into poverty, ‘Repair Café’ will be even more important as a source of practical help. I’m delighted that we are able to host it.”

Matthew Misiak is a secondary school teacher who has used the Café himself: “It has been wonderful to see the growth of the Repair Café, thanks to the consistent effort of organisers and volunteers. I hope it draws more users and helpers long into the future, to use existing resources, prevent waste, and up-skill and connect local residents. As the resources we depend on become more scarce and globalisation starts to fray, these seeds of activity will become ever more important for ensuring our community is resilient and prosperous in the future.” n

Making repairs is often easier than you think, especially if there is a Repair Café in your area. Check out www. repaircafewales.org to find an event near you. You can even get involved as a volunteer, or rather, a FIXPERT…