The MAKERS project team is excited to support an International Repair Day celebration on Saturday, October 19th, at SPARKS Bristol, and they’re putting “share and repair” front and centre with some exciting new initiatives!
This year marks the launch of a Library of Things at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus. To showcase the vibrant repair community around Bristol, we’ve partnered with Share Bristol to create a new digital map. This tool highlights the many community repair cafés that happen across the city, allowing people to find local places to Reduce, Repair, Share, and Re-use—all key elements of the circular economy.
The map not only showcases the amazing repair work happening in Bristol, but it also supports efforts to tackle waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save money. By helping people come together, these initiatives foster stronger communities, all while promoting sustainability.
MAKERS Project: Record Turnout and New Milestones
UWE Bristol’s MAKERS project is already off to a fantastic start this academic year. The first repair café of the term, hosted at the School of Engineering, saw a record turnout, with experienced repairing mentoring freshers and learning new skills alongside community volunteers. This hands-on approach is empowering students to be both environmental advocates and skilled problem solvers.
In recognition of this work, the MAKERS team has also been shortlisted as a Finalist in the Green Gown Awards for sustainability in the Benefitting Society category, with winners to be announced in November.
Project Coordinator Kat Corbett emphasizes how important Bristol’s community repair cafés are, saying:
“Our team at UWE Bristol is committed to supporting this initiative through student involvement, skills development, and raising awareness of Bristol’s repair, share, and reuse efforts.”
Building Connections Through Repair
Beyond the technical side of repairs, the social benefits of these cafés are profound. Dr. Laura Fogg Rogers, Project Lead, points out that both students and older community members report feeling more connected, making new friends while making a positive impact.
“We’re repairing ourselves as well as our goods,” she says, noting the unexpected social connections fostered through these events.
Both Dr. Rogers and Kat Corbett are actively involved in running their own community repair cafés in Eastville and Winterbourne, further embedding these values into local communities.
The Bristol Repair Coalition: Expanding Repair Culture
This local repair movement is part of a broader effort led by Professor Teresa Dillon, who has been directing the Repair Acts at UWE Bristol’s School of Art since 2018. The recently formed Bristol Repair Coalition, an alliance of academics, charities, businesses, and social enterprises, is working to transform Bristol into a city where repair and reuse are second nature.
This coalition aims to support emerging communities of professional, commercial, and volunteer repairers, and to reimagine sustainable material pathways for the city. With more events and initiatives expected to emerge, the Coalition is building a strong foundation for a restorative material future in Bristol.
Join Us for International Repair Day!
We invite everyone to join in the celebration of International Repair Day on Saturday, October 19th, at SPARKS Bristol. This event will highlight the power of repair to reduce our environmental impact, bring people together, and equip us with valuable new skills.
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Location: Sparks (Level 2), 78 Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3DS
(Tickets are free, but need to be pre-booked at here.)
Find out more about the global movement at repairday.org.