Somerset Waste Partnership's (SWP) growing repair cafe network and new Fixy reuse van is going on tour across the county.

SWP state that these initiatives are a great way to help people waste less, spend less and connect more.

Working alongside Somerset’s existing repair cafe groups, the new Fixy reuse van is visiting events, schools and businesses to promote repair, support repair cafes with tools and a PAT – portable appliance testing – safety service, encourage volunteers to get involved, and collect smart tech for reuse.

The Fixy initiative is led by the Resource Futures consultancy, in partnership with Somerset Waste Partnership and Donate-IT, a local community interest company that sustainably manages the e-waste such as data-wipes and refurbishes laptops, tablets and phones, and distributes them to schools, community groups and families who need them. 

Chard & Ilminster News:

Here are some events to bookmark:

  • Friday, January 20, 10am-1pm – Martock Parish Hall, Church Street, Martock TA12 6JL. Fixy reuse van will collect smart tech, signpost future events, promote reuse, encourage volunteers (no repairers available).
  • Saturday, January 21, 10am-1pm – Frome Town Hall, Christchurch Street West, Frome BA11 1EB. Fixy reuse van will will collect smart tech, signpost future events, promote reuse, encourage volunteers (no repairers available).
  • Tuesday, January 2, 8.15am-12noon – Reckleford Infant School and Nursery, Eastland Road, Yeovil BA21 4ET. Fixy joins the Schools Against Waste team to accept donations of smart tech for reuse and talking to parents and pupils about community repair groups (no repairers available).

Chard & Ilminster News:

  • Wednesday, January 25, 10am-1pm –

    The Guildhall, Fore Street, Chard TA20 1PH. South Somerset District Council/Department of Work and Pensions “Getting Help with the Cost of Winter” event. Fixy reuse van will collect smart tech, signpost future events, promote reuse, encourage volunteers (no repairers available).

■ Saturday, January 28, 10am-1pm – Blackdown Hills, Hemyock Parish Hall, Hemyock, Cullompton, Devon EX15 3QW. Repair Café. Fixy will support the repair café, collect smart tech, signpost future events, promote reuse, encourage volunteers.

■ Wednesday, February 1, 10am-1pm – Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB. South Somerset District Council/Department of Work and Pensions “Getting Help with the Cost of Winter” event. Fixy reuse van will collect smart tech, signpost future events, promote reuse, encourage volunteers (no repairers available).

■ Saturday, February 11, 10am-12noon –  “Pop Up Repair Event” – volunteer repairer fixing electrical and general items.

Where-Café Burtle, Village Hall, Burtle Road, Burtle, Bridgwater TA7 8NB.

■ Saturday, February 18, 9am-1pm – Farmers Market, Town Hall, Market Square, Crewkerne, TA18 7LN. Fixy reuse van will collect smart tech, signpost future events, promote reuse, encourage volunteers.

Chard & Ilminster News:

■ Saturday, February 25 (time TBC) – The Engine Room, High Street, Bridgwater TA6 3BL. Spring Seed Swap and Vegan Food Festival, High Street, Bridgwater. Fixy will signpost future events (Bridgwater Repair Café usually meets last Saturday of the month.

For more about Fixy and ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, bookmark this page, follow @somersetwaste on Facebook and Twitter.