The Institute for Community Sustainability (ICS) is looking for "Fixers" and "Helpers" for the London Repair Café! Do you value sustainability, mindful consumption, or circular economies? Are you handy around the house, have professional experience/expertise in fixing appliances, or know how to sew? One of these roles might be for you!

The London Repair Café follows the global Repair Café movement, which began in Amsterdam in 2009, with the goals of reducing waste and overconsumption, building skills and community, fighting planned obsolescence, and advocating for the Right to Repair. At Repair Café, our handy volunteer "Fixers" help repair household items from the community. Broken lamp? Jeans with a hole? Coffee maker that just won't turn on? Don't toss it - bring it to Repair Café and learn how to fix it yourself!

Volunteering as a "Fixer"

Fixers are expected to:

  • Commit to attending at least five Repair Cafés per year (flexible)
  • Be comfortable repairing (or attempting to repair) common household items (such as
    lamps, toasters, and blenders), clothing (small repairs only, not tailoring or zipper
    repairs), and/or bikes

Fixers are NOT expected to:

  • Supply their own spare parts
  • Supply all of their own tools (the ICS provide a limited selection of tools from the Thing
    Library)
  • Repair every item (Fixers always have the right to refuse a repair if they aren't
    comfortable attempting it)
  • Have any formal repair qualifications (though this is definitely an asset!)

Volunteering as a "Helper"

Helpers are expected to:

  • Commit to attending at least five Repair Cafés per year (flexible)
  • Assist the Repair Café Program Coordinator with event set-up and pack-down, and either
    visitor check-in, check-out, triage, photography/videography, or collecting testimonials

Helpers are NOT expected to fix anything!

Repair Café volunteers have the opportunity to:

  • Help Londoners repair and continue using their well-loved household items
  • Contribute to making a real impact on waste reduction in London (we diverted over 1,000
    kg of household waste from landfill in 2024!)
  • Share expert knowledge and skills with other volunteers and the wider community
  • Develop teamwork and communications skills

How to apply

Please email Julia Hammer ([email protected]), Program Coordinator, to
express your interest. Include any access needs you may have! You will then be invited to one
of our volunteer orientation sessions.