Can you fix it! Yes you can!

Residents in the Forest of Dean are being encouraged to repair and reuse rather than throwing broken household goods away, which can be detrimental to the environment.

Most faulty household goods end up being disposed of in landfill, yet the life of most items could be extended by carrying out a simple repair.

Today’s throwaway culture is driven by a lack of knowledge about how to fix things or a perceived view that carrying out repairs to goods may be expensive.

Repair Cafes have started springing up across the UK to kindle enthusiasm for a more sustainable society.  The aim of the Cafes is to teach people that repairing items can be fun and often quite simple and inexpensive.

The first Forest of Dean Repair Café was set up in Yorkley in March this year and following on from this a second Café was launched in Newent in April.

Residents are invited to take along their broken, damaged or worn items along for repair.  A group of enthusiastic and skilled volunteers will be on hand to tackle a variety of items including, clothing and textiles, small electrical and electronic goods, computers, furniture, knife sharpening and more.  Repairs are normally undertaken for a small donation with an additional charge to cover any replacement parts.  Electrical items are PAT tested for safety purposes.  

The Cafes also sell hot and cold drinks and delicious homemade cake.

The Forest of Dean Repair Cafes are held on one Saturday a month as follows:

• Yorkley Repair Café is held on the second Saturday of each month from 11am to 1.30pm at Yorkley Community Centre, 2 Bailey Hill, Yorkley, GL15 4RS. For more information visit the @yorkleymendandrepaircafe facebook page.
• Newent Repair Café is held on the third Saturday of each month from 10am to 1pm at the Chill Out Zone, 36 Broad Street, Newent, GL18 1AJ.  For more information visit the Newent Repair Café facebook page or telephone Viv Price 01531 890 609.

Councillor Paul Hiett, Cabinet Member for Communities & Parish and Town Councils and Community Safety said: “Unfortunately we live in a world where throwing items away has become the norm because people believe it’s easier to buy a replacement rather than carry out a repair.  Not only is this costly for the consumer, but it’s also damaging for the environment.

“In recent times many people have forgotten that they can repair things themselves or they’ve never been shown how to do it.  Fortunately repair cafes are springing up all over the country, as likeminded people are realising the benefits of repairing goods rather than disposing of them. 

“The Council is pleased to have been able to offer our support for the district’s two Repair Cafes and we hope that residents will support them by putting themselves forward as repair volunteers or by taking items along to the Cafes to be repaired. 

“If you interested in volunteering at a Café or you’re looking to set one up in your local community, contact Nikki McClean, Community Engagement Officer on 01594 812372 or email Nicola.Mclean@fdean.gov.uk”

ENDS