{"id":16371,"date":"2025-12-01T13:26:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T12:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=16371"},"modified":"2025-12-01T13:26:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T12:26:20","slug":"our-village-repair-cafe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=16371","title":{"rendered":"Our village Repair Caf\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WENVOE REPAIR CAF\u00c9<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Our village Repair Caf\u00e9 has been up-and-running now for 7 months; how time flies! The uptake from locals has been amazing so we thought it was maybe opportune just to compile a little article to support what Repair Caf\u00e9 is and what it does\u2026.<\/p>\n

Repair Caf\u00e9 is simply \u2018people power\u2019. It is a local initiative powered by local people who care about their locality. There is no external funding and definitely no government or local authority influence; all our money comes from donations. It is about trying to make a very small difference to a huge problem. That problem is excess consumerism and the so-called \u201cuse and throw\u201d mentality that prevails nowadays and most of us contribute to.<\/p>\n

Repair Caf\u00e9 was started in Amsterdam in 2009 by a Dutch environmental journalist named Martine Postma. Its aim simply was to reduce waste, promote a repair culture and strengthen community ties. In 2010 Postma created the Repair Caf\u00e9 Foundation, and the idea took off across Europe and then worldwide. As of today, there are more than 2,500 Repair Cafes across 40 countries and it\u2019s growing weekly. There are local cafes in Barry; Sully; Penarth; Llantwit Major; Ely and Cowbridge.<\/p>\n

So, its simple objectives are (a) extend the life of everyday objects (b) reduce landfill waste (c) share repair skills and knowledge (d) build social connections within communities (e) encourage sustainable consumption habits.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Our Repair Caf\u00e9 here in Wenvoe has really started to make a difference with all 5 of those principles. So, what do we do and how do we do it? Good question!<\/p>\n

Firstly, any Repair Caf\u00e9 needs volunteers \u2013 volunteer fixers to mend the items; volunteer servers to help with refreshments and volunteer coordinators to manage the through-flow of \u2018customers\u2019. Who are our fixers? Well in simple terms, anyone and everyone! Most of our volunteer fixers are just folks from our community and further afield who are prepared to simply have a go. Few have relevant skills (although one or two do have expertise) but are prepared to roll up their sleeves, grab a screwdriver, Duck tape or a needle and thread and try their best; nothing more. Anyone and everyone is very welcome to volunteer. If a volunteer has a particular expertise, then of course that is wonderfully helpful with complex fixes like clocks, computers, pedal cycles, electronics and some electrical items but many fixes merely require tenacity and persistence.<\/p>\n

Fixes come in all shapes and sizes; there is no common theme. We\u2019ve had fine ornaments, children\u2019s toys, complex gadgets, family heirlooms, garden electricals and historical clocks to name but a few. Our success rate is very good with most items being fixed, but not all; sometimes we do encounter an item which is unfortunately beyond its repairable life. We carry a few everyday consumables like electrical plugs, fuses, super glue, small nuts and bolts etc but we do not carry any spare parts. Due to insurance reasons, we also cannot accept anything which has petrol or gas as its fuel.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>When you arrive at the village Community Centre on the morning of the last Saturday in the month you will be greeted by our coordinator who will assess the broken item you have. You will then have to fill in a simple form authorising us to \u2018have a go\u2019. You will then take a seat in our caf\u00e9 area to enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit whilst you wait to be allocated to a volunteer fixer station. Then it\u2019s down to us to get stuck in and work our magic. Some items are fixable in 10 minutes; others can take quite a bit longer. We\u2019ll assess it and discuss with you what we think. If you then agree we\u2019ll try our best to get the item repaired. Handing back a fixed item is a very satisfying outcome and is a job well done.
\nSo, we will go from strength to strength, but we always need more volunteers. More fixers are especially welcome as we can then repair more things. If you have an interest, skill, hobby or background which could help or you\u2019re just prepared to muck in (like me!) then please do join us.<\/p>\n

You can contact me on 07581 192108 or call into the Repair Caf\u00e9 and chat to us to find out more.
\nMartin Thomas<\/p>\n

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\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WENVOE REPAIR CAF\u00c9 Our village Repair Caf\u00e9 has been up-and-running now for 7 months; how time flies! The uptake from locals has been amazing so we thought it was maybe opportune just to compile a little article to support what Repair Caf\u00e9 is and what it does\u2026. Repair Caf\u00e9 is simply \u2018people power\u2019. It is a local initiative powered by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[334,428,228],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-4g3","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8843,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=8843","url_meta":{"origin":16371,"position":0},"title":"Repair And Reuse Initiative For Wenvoe","author":"Alan Williams","date":"28th December 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"REPAIR AND REUSE INITIATIVE FOR WENVOE The Community Council has spent some time researching an inspirational project called Repair Caf\u00e9 Wales. We would like to share the philosophy of this project with you all and ask for your help in working towards something similar in Wenvoe This is an extract\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Event Notices"","block_context":{"text":"Event Notices","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=237"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15369,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=15369","url_meta":{"origin":16371,"position":1},"title":"Wenvoe Repair Caf\u00e9","author":"Alan Williams","date":"9th April 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"WENVOE FORUM Considering Tomorrow Today Breaking News! Wenvoe Repair Caf\u00e9 Ken and Martin have been busy! Following the research we described last month, things have moved quickly. The Community Council gave their support to establish a repair caf\u00e9 in Wenvoe and offered the use of the Community Centre. Ken and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Coming Up"","block_context":{"text":"Coming Up","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RepairCafe.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16440,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=16440","url_meta":{"origin":16371,"position":2},"title":"Do You Need A Repair?","author":"Alan Williams","date":"29th December 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"DO YOU NEED A REPAIR? There will always be times when you need something repaired quickly but perhaps because of timing or the weight \/size of the item to be repaired Wenvoe Repair Cafe cannot help. The website RepairCafeWales.org includes details of where and when neighbouring repair cafes are open\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Event Notices"","block_context":{"text":"Event Notices","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=237"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15729,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=15729","url_meta":{"origin":16371,"position":3},"title":"Wenvoe Repair Caf\u00e9","author":"Alan Williams","date":"8th July 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Event Notices"","block_context":{"text":"Event Notices","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=237"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upcoming2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upcoming2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upcoming2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upcoming2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upcoming2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15945,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=15945","url_meta":{"origin":16371,"position":4},"title":"Wenvoe Repair Cafe","author":"Alan Williams","date":"29th August 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Saturday 30th September at the Community Centre The caf\u00e9 is open 10.00am - 1.00pm. Bring articles that need mending or just call in for a cuppa. \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Coming Up"","block_context":{"text":"Coming Up","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16223,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=16223","url_meta":{"origin":16371,"position":5},"title":"Wenvoe Repair Cafe 22nd November","author":"Alan Williams","date":"22nd October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Saturday 22nd November at the Community Centre The caf\u00e9 is open 10.00am - 1.00pm. Bring articles that need mending or just call in for a cuppa. \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Event Notices"","block_context":{"text":"Event Notices","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=237"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16371"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16371"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16452,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16371\/revisions\/16452"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}