Herefordshire Council provides more funding for repair cafes
Toasters that no longer pop. Radios that no longer play. And shirts with missing buttons and frayed cuffs. These are just some of the items that regularly appear at Herefordshire’s repair cafes.
Repair cafés bring people together. They provide opportunities for skills sharing. And, they can help us reverse the trend of tossing goods away that, with very little effort, could have years of life left in them.
While some see broken items as useless tat that should be thrown in the bin, most things brought into Ledbury or Leominster repair cafes are given a second chance. The skilled volunteers who turn up at the cafés with a ‘fix-mindset’ give electric fires, wind-up clocks and virtually every type of clothing a new lease of life.
Repairs cafes wanted in every market town
Now, Herefordshire Council wants to see a repair café in every market town across the county. So, our waste team has organised an event to show them what running a repair café is all about. All eligible individuals, groups and organisations are encouraged to come along to find out more.
Our repair showcase takes place:
- Time: 10.30am-12.30pm
- Date: Saturday 14 January 2023
- Venue: Hall behind Eignbrook United Reform Church, Hereford, HR4 0AP
Up to £2500 funding available
Those who make a successful application could get up to £2500 in funding. That can be used to hire a venue, help towards a membership scheme, pay for insurance, tools, training and promotions. The council funding can be used to start a new repair café or expand an existing one. Find more information at: herefordshire.gov.uk/repair.
Allan Simnett, who plans to open a new repair café in the county soon, says:
“Herefordshire Council’s waste team was very supportive in helping us establish a repair cafe in South Hereford. The grant we were awarded was extremely straightforward to apply for. It will fund initial equipment expenditure and cover our overheads for the first few months. Hopefully, our repair cafe will reduce the amount we throw away in South Hereford, promote sustainability and provide an opportunity for expert repairers to pass on their invaluable practical skills to others. Everyone will be welcome to come along to our repair cafes, which will be held in Dinedor village hall. We’ll provide details on our opening times soon.”