Replacing our broken items, or purchasing things we will only use once or twice a year is costly. That's where Share and Repair can help you to save money, reduce the amount of things you have to store and minimise the need to dispose of unwanted items.

In 2017 it was the challenge of yet another broken kettle that prompted Bath resident Lorna Montgomery to look for a solution. Her search led her to the Repair Café Foundation. Its aim to help local repair volunteers use and share their skills for the benefit of their local community fitted well with her background in volunteer organisations and led to the creation of Share and Repair.

The first café was in Bear Flat in April 2017. We now run 10 Repair Cafes, plus pop up ones at Bath University. We also operate a Library of Things, where you can borrow instead of buy things you may only need infrequently and offer repairs from our George Street Shop.

From repairing to sharing: along the way, we also realised we could share our skills with people. So many visitors to our repair cafes said they had a sewing machine at home but couldn’t use it and others brought in bikes for simple maintenance. We have now added workshops on those topics and also using power tools, hand sewing and how to use a thermal imaging camera.

We also run a HomeKIT project, where our volunteers repair and prepare small electricals such as lamps, kettles and toasters, which are supplied free of charge to those who are setting up homes under difficult circumstances and on low incomes.

Our final project is working with schools helping primary age students to learn the joy of repair and the benefits of a circular economy. This is currently being adapted for teenagers too.

You can find out more about Share and Repair at www.shareandrepair.org.uk .