Volunteer Repairer at Newbury and Thatcham Repair Cafe : Volunteer Centre West Berkshire

As a volunteer repairer you will be part of a team of volunteers, helping to repair broken items which visitors bring in for free repairs and therefore reducing waste in West Berkshire.

After registering the item at reception, the visitor, under the guidance of event management volunteers, brings it to your work table where, together with the visitor, you will investigate what repair is required, talking through the process with them. If the repair is feasible, you lead the repair while the visitor remains with you so that repairing skills are passed on. If the repair isn't feasible (time constraints or lack of tools or spares), then you may be able to give advice about spare parts, possibly suggesting a return visit to a Repair Café, local resources or, very reluctantly, advise that the item is beyond repair.

As a volunteer repairer you will be part of a team of repairers who support each other and collaborate as much as possible. If you are unsure as to how to proceed you can ask for advice and ideas from others as well as providing advice to others if they ask for help. Volunteers learn from each other and are part of a community who enjoy helping others.

There are also other volunteers who run the event, including providing you, the volunteer, with tea and coffee!

Newbury events are held at Newbury Methodist Church Hall, RG14 1AN 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in February, April, June, September and November

Thatcham events are held at Frank Hutchings Community Hall, RG18 4QH 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in January, March, May, July and October

About Newbury and Thatcham Repair Cafe

The purpose of the Newbury and Thatcham Repair Cafe is to hold free events where visitors can bring broken items for repair. Volunteer repairers help visitors to repair clothes, furniture, electrical and electronic goods, ceramics, toys etc. if those repairs are feasible. If the repair is not feasible (due to lack of time, tools or spare parts) the repairer will offer advice on how the item could be fixed (spare parts, come to next event for follow-up with spare part, local resources etc).

The aim of the Repair Café is to promote environmental sustainability, within the Newbury and Thatcham and surrounding areas, by repairing items, which reduces waste and maximises the life of each item. This also saves the visitor money as no replacement is needed. The aim is also to increase the repairing skills of visitors by involving and discussing the repair of the item with the visitor. The Repair Café also provides a venue where people can meet each other with a common interest.

Repair Café events run about once a month on a Sunday afternoon, 2p.m. to 4.30p.m., alternating between Newbury, Methodist Church Hall, RG14 1AN and Frank Hutchings Community Hall, Thatcham RG18 4QH.

Volunteers are asked to be at the event 30 minutes before the event starts to help set up, and stay for 30 minutes after the event ends to help clear up.

Cups of tea or coffee are available at the event for visitors and volunteers.

What skills do I need?

A variety of repair skills are needed - at least one of the following repair skills (if you have more than one, that's great!):

Electrical safety (PAT) Testing
Electrical repairs
Electronic repairs
PC, laptop, tablet repairs
Clothing/textile repairs
Woodwork repair
Clock repair
Garden tools repair
Costume Jewellery repair, cleaning and advice
Blade sharpening
General repairs e.g. toys, kitchen tools
Ceramics
IT and Mobile phone advice

Please note: Repairers don't need to be professionally trained or experts, except for electrical safety (PAT testing), as many repairs are relatively simple and straightforward. You are the kind of person who will have a go at fixing things before throwing them out.

Other attributes:

Being able to talk through a repair with the owner, passing on repair skills
You like fixing broken items, and enjoy the problem-solving and pleasure of having done so
Decision-making is helpful when deciding if and how an item can be repaired at the Repair Cafe
A sense of humour when you find the burnt sultana stuck at the bottom of a broken toaster!

When is this role available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Events run about once a month on a Sunday afternoon 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., alternating each month between Newbury and Thatcham. There are no events in August and December. Events last for 2.5 hours. Volunteers are asked to be at the venue at least 30 minutes before the start time to help set up tables, equipment, PAT test electrical equipment brought in, etc, and are also asked to help clear up at the end. The commitment for any particular event is about 3.5 hours. Volunteers are not required to be at every event, but we'd love it if you were available as much as possible.

Where does this role take place?

Newbury Methodist Church Hall
Northbrook Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 1AN

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Frank Hutchings Community Hall
Bradley-Moore Square
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 4QH

View on Google Maps →

Register your interest

Ideal for people interested in
Communities
Environment

Ideal for people who like
Computers, IT and Websites
DIY and Construction
General Helping
Local Events
Practical Skills

Details
Accessibility
DBS check required
Equal opportunities policy
There is a Volunteer Policy
Expenses reimbursed
Ongoing support
From peers and the Newbury and Thatcham Repair Cafe Committee.
Safeguarding policy
According to the Safeguarding Policy of the venue
Suitable for under 18s
Training provided
Repairing alongside mentor volunteer repairers. Occasional team meetings and training e.g. PAT/IEET accreditation, First Aid training as needed. Peer training when new equipment introduced in the Repair Cafe.
Volunteer induction
Informal discussion and working at event alongside a mentor volunteer repairer. Volunteers receive Process documents, Health and Safety and Risk Assessment Policies etc before the events.
Volunteer policy
Volunteers covered by insurance
Written role description
Informal written notes and process flowchart given to the volunteers who are new to a particular role or if role changes.

Application Process
Application Form
Informal Discussion

Volunteer Repairer