Carlisle Repair Café hopes to reduce landfill waste

Carlisle Repair Café launched its first session at Botcherby Community Centre last Saturday March, 26.

Organiser Lochlan Dulson said: “I just thought there’s no downside to any of this. If you get solar panels or an electric car, there’s a shelf life and it’s expensive. This just seems like a total winner for the area really.  

“I’m sick of not being able to do anything. I’m constantly recycling, but I thought: 'Is that all I can really do?'

“I figured if I do this, then I’m getting other people to do stuff as well, so it’s having a much bigger impact,” he said.

RUNNING: Last Saturday of every month.

The repair workshop, which also offers coffee, tea and cakes, will be in Botcherby Community Centre, the last Saturday of each month.

With support from Penrith Repair Cafe, Sustainable Carlisle, Cumbria Actions for Sustainability and a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and ZCC Community Climate Grants, the repair cafe is run by a group of local volunteers who will help people from the community fix their broken possessions.

“It’s not just about raising awareness that this is possibility, it’s showing people how to repair items themselves, as those who have come get the chance to sit across and watch the repairers at work and learn from them,” he said.

Attendees are being encouraged to bring everything from clothes in need of mending; bicycles, appliances, garden tools, toys and furniture.

“You’ll be surprised how many people come in with such a simple thing that can be easily fixed without having to buy a completely new product,” he said.

ARRAY: Of attendees getting in the fixing spirit.

Carlisle Repair Café are currently searching for like-minded volunteers to get in touch and come and offer their services for a great cause.

“Once this operation is running itself, if it takes off, I’d like to set up this service throughout other areas of Carlisle,” he said.