The Big Fix goes nationwide!

UK residents can find inspiration on how to breathe new life into their broken possessions at what promises to be the largest repair event of its kind ever held.

The Big Fix 2020 will see 75 repair cafes from around the UK join forces and run simultaneous events on Saturday February 15.

In an event being co-ordinated by Devon County Council, hundreds of volunteer fixers will donate their Saturday fixing anything and everything from clothes, electrical items and furniture to toys, mechanical items and leather goods, all for just a small donation.

In Devon alone there are at least 10 events planned with repair cafes in Ashburton, Axminster, Bishopsteignton, Bradninch, Crediton, Exeter, Great Torrington, North Tawton, Plymouth and Torbay.

The aim is to fix as many broken items as possible and in the process save 60 tonnes of CO2. The event follows the success of The Big Fix last year in Exeter, when volunteers broke the record for the number of items repaired at a single repair café.

Both events are examples of Devon County Council’s commitment to help ensure that Devon becomes a net-zero county.

Run by the community, for the community, these repair events not only provide repair services but also provide spaces for people to come together for a chat, a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Around the world there were an estimated 19,836 Repair Café meetings in 2018, repairing an estimated 350,000 items and saving the equivalent in waste.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Waste said: “Repair Cafés are wonderful places – they teach people to see their possessions in a new light and appreciate their value and show that by extending the life of an everyday object everyone can do their bit to reduce waste, limit consumption and to reduce carbon emissions. Repair Cafes can help change people’s mindset which is essential to encourage people’s enthusiasm for a sustainable society. They have a lovely community atmosphere and can show just how much fun repairing things can be.”

Catherine Causley, the Big Fix 2020 Project Officer said: “I wanted to promote the wonderful work that all repair cafes do and to try and spread the word about them. 
“They are about so much more than keeping repairable items out of the bin, they are about building community, passing on skills and preventing social isolation. I'm delighted that more than half of the UK's Repair Cafes are taking part and I hope that this inspires more people to make use and visit them.”

For more information click onto the Recycle Devon website.