How Repair Café saves me time, money and helps to protect the planet

Our Welsh recycling campaign, Wales Recycles, are proudly supporting Fix It February – an initiative led by Repair Cafe Wales that’s all about fixing, instead of binning. Thanks to Repair Café you can get broken items repaired for free at one of over 140 Repair Cafés across Wales. Skilled volunteers have already fixed more than 21,000 items, saving people over ￡1 million in free repairs.

Our Senior Campaign Manager, Angela Spiteri , shares her experience of visiting her local Repair Café – and why you should give it a go too.

As a busy parent, I struggle to find time for the essentials, let alone fix broken things around the house. Whether it's clothes with seams that have come apart or a lamp that has given up, I’ll admit, I wouldn’t even know where to start.

That's where Repair Café comes in - a real game-changer for busy people like me who want to do our bit for the environment, while also saving time and money.

It’s a simple idea with a big impact – bring in a broken item, and volunteers with repair skills will fix it - for free. You just find your nearest Repair Café, turn up with your item, and while they work their magic, you can sit back, enjoy a cuppa, and have a chat. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and completely hassle-free.

An added bonus is that my kids love it! They were fascinated watching the volunteers bring our broken lamp back to life, and proudly took home their freshly repaired coats.

Here are 5 reasons why everyone should try Repair Café:

1. It saves you money. The cost of replacing everyday items can quickly add up. The great news is that nearly 80% of items taken to a Repair Café are fixed – that’s money saved! Instead of buying new, you’re giving your belongings a second lease of life – at no cost to you!
2. It helps protects the planet. Wales is already the world’s second-best recycling nation – and we’re aiming for the top spot! But recycling alone isn’t enough. We need to reduce the amount of waste we produce and the new things we buy. Wales is on a mission to become a zero-waste nation by 2050, and small actions - like fixing instead of binning - can make a big difference. By fixing things, we create less waste, cut down on carbon emissions, and help protect the planet.
3. It’s quick and easy. No appointments, no expensive repair shops needed - just turn up, hand over your broken items, and enjoy a chat while it gets fixed. In under an hour, I had a working lamp and two winter-ready coats. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
4. It’s a great way to meet people from the community. There’s a special sense of community in Wales, and Repair Cafés are full of friendly faces. Whether its volunteers sharing their skills or chatting with fellow visitors, it’s a wonderful way to connect with others and get involved in your local community.
5. It’s fantastic for kids. Fix It February isn’t just about repairs - it’s about learning too. My children were amazed watching a volunteer patiently mend their raincoats and fix our lamp. I thought it was a brilliant way to teach them about sustainability, creativity, and problem-solving. Plus, it’s a nice little adventure out of the house!

Experiencing the impact of Repair Café first-hand has shown me just how valuable they are. That’s why, I’m proud to have recently joined Repair Café Wales as a Trustee, supporting their mission of creating more opportunities for people to save money, reduce waste, and connect with their local community.

Got a pile of broken items and don’t know where to start? Save money, save time, and help protect the planet by getting them fixed for free at your nearest Repair Café.