It doesn’t seem that one whole year has passed, to the day, since Adult Learning Wales (ALW) established its 3rd ‘Branch’ in the South West & Mid Region – that of the Port Talbot Repair Café! On Thursday 7th December 2023, staff, and members of the local community in Port Talbot, joined together to recognise and celebrate the establishment of the newly formed ‘Repair Café’, and guests were treated to a range of presentations by Kathryn Robson (CEO of Adult Learning Wales), John Graystone (Chair of Adult Learning Wales), John McCrory (Founding Director of Repair Cafe Wales), Jessica Leigh Jones MBE (CEO of IUNGO Solutions) and Rhys Clement (then ‘Repair Cafe Co-Ordinator’ for Adult Learning Wales and now the Branch’s Chair!). The invited guests were treated to a selection of varied presentations, and there was much excitement and a real buzz about what the future would hold for both the Repair Café and ALW.
A year on, and the future is looking exceedingly bright indeed!
The Repair Café has established a clear ‘Mission Statement’ – to reduce waste, help people learn valuable skills and strengthen community connections. The Repair Café Committee members and volunteers believe in fixing rather than throwing away, and all are committed to making a positive environmental impact while fostering a supportive, educational environment. The Repair Cafe provides a welcoming space where community members can bring their broken items, and skilled volunteers work together to repair them. From sewing and textiles to electronics and small appliances, volunteers tackle a variety of items, teaching visitors the value of ‘repair and reuse’.
Below, is an impressive array of achievements for the Branch since January 2024:
– Total Items Repaired:
In its first year, The Repair Café has received 80 items, and successfully fixed 68 of them, resulting in an impressive 85% fix rate.
– Community Members Served:
The Repair Café has welcomed an estimated 150-200 visitors through our doors, based on average attendance per event.
– Waste Diverted from Landfill:
By repairing rather than discarding, the team has diverted 231.4 kg of waste from the landfill.
– Environmental Impact:
The team’s efforts have saved a significant 3,217.9 kg of CO₂ emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Volunteers
The Repair Café is fortunate in having a very dedicated team of volunteers, usually around 8-10 people attending per session, who have collectively contributed over 140 hours of their time this year – all showcasing an incredible commitment to the community. Volunteers are very much at the heart of the Repair Café. Each one brings unique skills and a passion for helping others. They have all worked tirelessly, offering their time and expertise to fix a wide variety of items. From repairing delicate electronics to sewing torn clothing, they have shown incredible patience and resourcefulness.
Mike Bees, a member of the local community, said:
“I brought in my 1960s record player, which had issues with speed playback and the speakers. The volunteers worked their magic, and it’s now playing my favourite records perfectly. It’s wonderful to have it back in working order.”
Rhys Clement, Chair of the Branch expressed:
“One of my most memorable repairs was fixing an old Christmas mechanical snowman. The wires had come loose, and while it played a tune, it no longer danced. After a bit of tinkering, it was back to dancing again, much to the delight of its owner.”
Starting a Repair Café does not come without its challenges, and the team has dealt admirably with finding skilled volunteers and securing funding donations. Recruiting volunteers with specific repair skills, especially in electronics, has required significant outreach, but the team has grown steadily, through a combination of word of mouth and local promotions. Likewise, securing funds for tools and supplies, whilst challenging, has been aided by the help of community donations and local grants, allowing the Repair Café to sustain and expand its operations.
Feedback by local community members who have used the Repair Café, has been consistently excellent, with visitors frequently praising the helpfulness of the volunteer team and the positive, friendly atmosphere.
Branch Committee
The Committee Members of the Café have been instrumental in its success. They handle everything from organising events and coordinating volunteers, to managing outreach and promotions. Their behind-the-scenes work has been crucial in building the strong community presence we have today.
Rhys continues:
“We’re thrilled to see the success of the Port Talbot Repair Café. The commitment to repair, reuse and community engagement is exactly what the Repair Café movement is all about. We are making a tangible difference, both environmentally and socially.”
Cathryn Clement, Secretary of the Branch, shares:
“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when their cherished items are fixed is the best reward. It’s proof that small efforts can make a big difference, not just for the environment but for the well-being of the community.”
As the Repair Café looks ahead to Year 2, exciting plans are afoot, including:
– Introducing Skill-Building Sessions:
The Repair Café aims to add special sessions where community members can learn how to fix items themselves. These workshops will focus on basic skills like sewing, small electronics repair, and tool use, empowering people to handle simple repairs at home.
– Youth Engagement:
The Repair Café also hopes to collaborate with local schools and youth groups, to teach repair skills to the next generation, helping to build a more sustainable future.
Kathryn Robson, CEO of ALW, has reflected on the past year with much pride:
“One year ago, the Port Talbot Repair Café embarked on a journey to reduce waste, teach vital skills, and bring people together in a spirit of community and sustainability. Today, the impact of this initiative is clear: 68 items repaired out of 80, over 231.4 kg of waste diverted from landfill, and 3,217.9 kg of CO₂ emissions saved. These impressive achievements are matched only by the countless connections strengthened and valuable skills shared within our community. The dedication of the volunteers and committee members who make this happen is truly inspiring. They have created a welcoming space where every repair tells a story of resilience and hope. As we look ahead, I am excited to see this wonderful initiative grow, empowering even more individuals and inspiring the next generation to embrace repair, reuse, and sustainability.”
If you would like to learn more about the Repair Café, when it holds its monthly sessions, or wish to explore the volunteering roles available, please don’t hesitate to contact the Chair of the Branch, Rhys Clement: rhys.clement@adultlearning.wales
