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"The best Saturday morning anyone can have"
- April 17, 2026
- Article by Chris McCartney
If you've been to a repair cafe, you know they are wonderful community-rooted events which would be nothing without a team of friend, willing and able volunteers. There are all kinds of reasons why people get involved - and almost as many different ways to contribute!
In this article, we shine a light on volunteering with a repair cafe – and a warm invitation to think about getting involved, whether you can fix anything or not. Also, we share a glimpse into what some of our current volunteers say about their experience, as one said: “the best Saturday morning anyone can have!”
People have busy lives, and it can be hard to find time for volunteering. But becoming part of a Repair Cafe can introduce you to good friends and new skills and help your wellbeing. You know you are making a tangible, positive difference to your community and the people who come along. And you are part of a supportive team, working together to share skills, reduce waste and climate impacts and build community.
The sense of community is fantastic. Even if things don't get fixed the public sees that everything was tried. The volunteers are happy, the public are happy, money is saved and things can be used again. It's a win win win!
Different roles at a Repair Cafe
Here’s a secret – you don’t need to be able to fix a thing to help out at a repair cafe. Our events absolutely rely on people who book venues, answer emails, bake buns, take photographs and make connections with other groups in your community. Our organisers, welcomers, cafe helpers and story-tellers are just as much a part of our team as the fixers and local groups would be delighted to welcome new volunteers in these areas! Check out a list of current volunteering opportunities below.
Sometimes people who fix anything or everything in their own homes feel like their skills are not good enough to help others. But remember, a repair cafe is a community project, not a professional service. It’s a First Aid Clinic for your stuff – and we don’t promise to be able to have specialist expertise in every kind of repair.
A skill you take for granted – maybe something as simple as changing a fuse, adjusting bike brakes or sewing on a button – can be a mystery to others. You do not need any special qualifications to be a repair cafe fixer and there are opportunities to build on your skills through training and shadowing more experienced fixers. All we ask is that you work within your own knowledge and competence, pass on a repair if it is beyond your skills and are willing to ask for help from your fellow fixers.
We take health and safety seriously and work hard to create an environment where all our volunteers and visitors are safe and happy. As part of your welcome, you’ll get more information and guidance on this. From time to time, Repair Cafe Northern Ireland organises free training sessions to help volunteers deepen their knowledge and skills, and learn from each other.
The joy of fixing, getting to know other fixers. Learning new ways of fixing.
How Repair Cafe volunteering works
Volunteers sign up to a local group – and each has their own system for keeping in touch and welcoming new volunteers. Find and contact them on our groups page here, or drop us a line and we can introduce you. Some keen folks are connected to more than one repair cafe!
Some repair cafes hold monthly events, others are less often. Either way, there is no obligation to come every time and volunteers opt in when they want to take part. Many groups offer lunch for volunteers after the repair cafe has finished and/or volunteer expenses, and this will be explained when you get involved.
The difference you are making
Repair cafes are a practical and concrete way that communities can respond to the waste and climate crisis, help people deal with the cost of living or have something precious to them mended. Through pop up community events in Northern Ireland, our volunteers have fixed more than 11 tonnes of stuff for people – an amazing impact!
More than that, we are creating new social fabric – events where people can connect and share across generations and backgrounds, meeting new people in your own local community. There is no fixed charge to take part in a repair cafe (though donations help keep the projects going), so it is an accessible space for everyone.
There's a sense of being part of social change and being part of a community...
Excitement that others feel the same way about combatting throw away culture.
Save the date! We will hold an online volunteer information session on Thursday 14 May to introduce repair cafes, what it’s like to volunteer at them and to help explore the different roles and local groups. Register here
See some current volunteering opportunities below, but no matter your skills or interest, contact your local group to get started.
