‘Our repairers are passionate about teaching others how to fix all sorts of items’: Repair cafes up and running in Sutherland

Repair Cafes are up and running in Sutherland, with three having been held so far, the most recent at Ardgay Village Hall on Sunday, April 21.

These community initiatives teach people how to fix broken objects rather than throw them into landfill.

Re:Circulate Sutherland and Planet Sutherland have joined forces to set up and run Central Sutherland Repair Cafes. The initiative has been supported by Transition Black Isle and Circular Communities Scotland.

Anna Patfield, from Planet Sutherland said: “We are currently running the repair cafes in Ardgay and are working with other local groups to hopefully develop them in other areas.”

Items brought in to the repair cafes have ranged from a doll that needed its arms reattached, to a clock, a sewing machine, clothes and a lamp and a metal boat.

A demonstration on how to upcycle fabric by weaving and quilting was held at the April 21 cafe and proved very popular.

Anna continued: “All of our repairers are volunteers who enjoy fixing things and are passionate about helping others to learn how to fix and repair all sorts of things.

“So far we have had a mix of lamps, computers, phones, sewing machines, clothes that needs mending, a rucksack strap, food mixers, blenders, drills and DIY tools, vacuum cleaners and a boat!

“The aim is to encourage people to think fix-first. If we can’t fix something, we refer the owners to local businesses or the Dornoch Men’s Shed.”

The next Repair Cafe will be held in July in conjunction with the popular Ardgay Hall Jumble Sale.

For more information, visit: centralsutherlandrepaircafe.org or contact anna@planetsutherland.com.

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