Most repair cafes tackle clothing and textile repairs, household items, electrical gadgets, toys, woodwork and general repairs. Some repair cafes have fixers skills in tool sharpening, computers and tablets, clock repair and bicycles. There are only a few items which we won’t look at due to safety, including microwaves. Check the types of repair each group offers here.

A repair cafe is a first aid clinic for your stuff – sometimes it needs to go to the ‘hospital’, because specialist parts, training or tools are needed. Some repairs take longer than is possible at a pop up community event. Even if your item cannot be fixed at a repair cafe, volunteers may be able to tell you what’s wrong, if it’s fixable or point you to a local repair business for more help.

On average, 66% of items brought to repair cafes in Northern Ireland are repaired. This is much higher for sewing and bike repairs, and lower for some electrical gadgets.  Some items, particularly electrical and IT, are not made to be easily opened or repaired. That’s why we need stronger laws and policies that support making products repairable. If you’re interested, you can follow the ongoing conversation around the Right to Repair in the UK and across Europe.

Repair Cafes have no fixed charges to get something repaired or to visit. They operate on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis, so you are welcome to donate to help cover the costs of running these events. We are grateful to the many generous supporters who contribute towards the costs of insurance, venue hire, refreshments, printing, training, volunteer expenses and fixing supplies.

You can turn up at most repair cafes, though a few do take bookings to help manage demand, including Bangor, Belfast and Antrim & Newtownabbey. Check with the repair cafe you plan to visit.

Whether you book or drop in, you may need to wait to be matched with a fixer who has the right skills and experience for your specific repair. Some repairs can be tricky and take time – we cannot give a specific time when you will be seen. Our pop up cafe offers tea, coffee and home made treats while you wait, and a chance to enjoy the community and craic.

Our events are often busy, and we ask that people keep their items with them while they wait and stay with them while they are being worked on. Part of the experience of a repair cafe is meeting the fixer, telling them about your item and spending time with them as they try to fix it. You will learn more about repair and may get to join in if it’s safe.

It isn’t possible for repair cafes to keep more than a very limited supply of parts. Once a fixer works out what’s wrong with your item, they may let you know that a part is needed to complete the repair – they may also be able to advise on where to get it. You are always welcome to bring the item and part back to a future event to finish the job.

Unfortunately we can’t do this, as we see hundreds of items each year. We may be able to advise where you can take it locally for recycling. Sometimes broken items can be passed on or sold for parts online – keeping some of the components in use and helping to repair other items. But repair cafe volunteers do not have capacity to do this for you.

Thank you for thinking of us, but we cannot take donations of broken items. Repair cafes have very limited storage space as most do not have their own premises. 

The exception is Repair and Share Foyle which welcomes donations of household electricals, laptops and paint for reuse. Contact them directly to arrange.

We take the safety of our team and our visitors very seriously. Our fixers are experienced and work together to share skills and knowledge and support each other. We ask everyone coming to a repair cafe to help us maintain a safe environment by not leaving bags or items for repair where people could trip, taking care with hot drinks and supervising children, who are very welcome to attend.

As repair cafes are run by volunteers, we cannot offer repairs or advice outside of our regular community events. We are also not able to advise by email or online if items can be fixed as they need to be examined by one of our repair team – bring it along to an event to find out if it can be repaired. Repair and Share Foyle offers some additional repair times through their Fixing Factory Project – contact them directly for details.

We are here to get more people thinking about repair and make it more accessible. Where relevant and available, we will be happy to point to local repair businesses and services that we know of who will be able to do more than is possible at a short community event.

It’s great you want to keep using your items for longer and adapt them to what you need. Our mission is to help people get their broken stuff repaired, so we are usually not able to help with upcycling or adaptations. Because we don’t want to undermine local businesses, we don’t usually do clothing alterations, though our stitchers may be able to show you how to do it yourself.

Our fixers love to share their knowledge and show you what they are doing. By participating in repair cafes, you will learn more about your stuff and pick up some repair tips.  From time to time, repair cafes offer workshops and skillshares in their community. Join our mailing list to hear about what’s coming up.

Repair cafes are volunteer-powered and we welcome enquiries from people who would like to get involved. We need fixers, but also organisers, welcomers and bakers. Groups and volunteers are locally organised. Find and contact your local repair cafe directly to find out what volunteer openings they currently have.

We use a registration form to find out what people bring for repair and to help match them with the right fixer on the day. We don’t hold onto any personal information, unless you expressly ask us to add you to a mailing list. Statistics about items and repairs are pooled by community repair projects all over the world giving vital information about products, how repairable they are and common faults which can’t be fixed. This evidence is used to encourage manufacturers and governments to make repair easier and more affordable. 

Up to date figures for Repair Cafes in Northern Ireland are available on our home page. We always welcome help with tracking our repairs – it’s a volunteer role that can be done at our events or in your own time. Contact your local group if you are interested in getting involved.