We are setting up the Repair Cafe in Macclesfield, initially as part of Scoop & Scales in the Heritage Centre. This community space will allow us to bring people together to fix their household items, and learn new skills together. Reducing waste is a key part of any Repair Cafe, re-using our old broken goods instead of sending them to land fill can significantly reduce our impact on the planet. In order to carry the Repair Cafe on as a continuing project, we will need donations from the public to help us pay for some essential items. We will need to pay for rent, public liability insurance, chairs, tables and a PAT Tester for future Repair Cafe sessions.

What we'll deliver:

• 4 Repair Cafe sessions (1 per month), free to all including seating and workspaces
• A place for the community to socialise with others including coffee and cake
• The chance to learn new skills and make new friends
• PAT testing all electronic equipment with certified volunteers and calibrated PAT testers

Why it's a great idea:

Repair Cafe's have been growing since 2007, however until now Macclesfield has never had one. The idea has been discussed since around 2018, and we are determined to bring it to life. We believe that a Repair Cafe has a multitude of benefits; bringing the community together at such a challenging time in global history is an incredibly important part of why we are doing this. Having a community space where people can gather and learn new skills is vital for community spirit, and can even have a positive impact on mental health. We hope to provide inspiration, as well as practical skills, allowing people to come in and observe repairs and tell us about their own ideas. Importantly, this project will not only benefit the local community, but also brings benefits at a higher level, encouraging recycling of existing items . In the UK we make over 1.45 million tonnes of electrical waste yearly and this undoubtedly contributes to the detriment of the environment. We hope to combat this.

Steps to get it done:

• Scheduling monthly Repair Cafes in 2022
• Purchasing a PAT Tester

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