Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network

About us

Repair Cafes are community events that match people who need stuff fixed with people who like fixing things. Our local, experienced, volunteer repairers repair all sorts of household items such as kettles, toasters, lamps, laptops, clothes, toys, bikes and more. All repairs are free, although we welcome donations to support our growing network. There are over 30 different organisers – community groups, technology companies, PTAs, Parish Councils and others – who run Repair Cafes within the Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network. Bookings are managed independently by each Repair Cafe, and usually include a combination of both pre-booked and walk-in slots. You can see a list of upcoming Repair Cafes at the bottom of this page.

The Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network is run by Cambridge Carbon Footprint. We support new and established Repair Cafes in Cambridgeshire. We hold regular ‘How to run a Repair Cafe in your community’ training sessions, help to link new Repair Cafes to local experienced repairers, lend out tools, facilitate repairer skillshares and help with things like insurance. We have been generously supported by Draper Tools, Mackays of Cambridge, Sentec a Xylem brand, 42 Technology, Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council & Cambridgeshire County Council. We are always keen to make new contacts, so please get in touch if you’re interested in helping people to get things fixed.

Local Repair Cafes

2G3S is short for Going Greener in the Shelfords, Stapleford and Sawston. We organise repair cafes in Great Shelford, Whittlesford and Sawston with about 4 events each year. These are listed on our website and on the Cambridge Carbon Footprint events pages. We recommend booking in your item for repair , following the link on the event web page.

You can contact us via 2G3Srepaircafes@gmail.com if you have any questions.

We also support the Dr Bike Stapleford bike repair workshops which are held every Tuesday afternoon from 3pm – 6pm at the Old Slaughterhouse on Church Road in Stapleford.

Small village eco group, Repair Cafe is our main annual event.

A Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe organised by Bassingbourn Zero Carbon Collective

Burwell Repair Cafe is a community initiative arising from Burwell Parish Councils Climate Forum.

Inaugural cafe on 16th March, 2024, at the College of West Anglia, Wisbech Campus.

We held our first Repair Cafe in 2019 and usually hold 2 or 3 events per annum. Our events are held primarily in the Hub Community Centre in Cambourne, or at Cambourne Village College as part of their Eco Festival.

Repair Cafes are distinct from Restart Parties, but there is considerable overlap, and much to be gained from sharing information.  They are co-ordinated from the Netherlands (http://repaircafe.org), and are not in competition with Restart Parties (there’s more than enough to fix for us both!)

Repair Cafes tend to be less hi-tech than Restart Parties, though we will tackle computers, laptops, tablets and phones when requested.  Repairs are always free, and a cafe (which charges modest prices) is associated with the event, to cater for those who are waiting to be seen.

Cambridge Carbon Footprint co-ordinates Repair Cafes in the Cambridge area. Learn more here: https://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/repair-cafes/

The Coneygear Centre supports the community within Huntingdonshire by hosting Repair Cafés.

Cottenham Repair Cafe usually runs two to three times a year at Cottenham Community Centre, with a ‘guest’ spot at Cottenham Village College during the biennial Fen Edge Festival. We usually have electrical, mechanical, bike, jewellery and clothing repairers. Repair Cafes have been running in the village for over a decade!

After a seven year gap, we’re bringing Repair Cafes back to Ely! We’re looking for volunteers to help us–all skills welcome, from helping organise events and run the event, to repairers who can fix the items people will bring.

We held our first repair café in 2019: https://www.eversdenvillagehall.uk/eversdens-first-repair-cafe/

The aim of our group is to reduce waste, and help our local community. Funds raised are used to maintain our village hall e.g. the heating needs upgrading.

Fulbourn RepairCafe

Gamlingay Repair Cafe is a volunteer-led venture between The Eco Hub community centre and the Climate Action Group of Gamlingay Parish Council. As a group we were looking for positive actions to take in our local area to reduce our collective carbon footprint, reduce waste as well as bring the community together. Our first cafe is Sunday 7th April 2024 and we hope to run an event twice a year.

The Haddenham Repair Cafe team who will be holding their first Repair Cafe on the 28th of October 2023. Please fill in the BOOKING FORM Opens in a new window to book items in for repair. This Repair Cafe will take place in the Arkenstall Village Centre in Haddenham, Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Haslingfield and Harlton are neighbouring semi-rural villages in South Cambridgeshire, UK. We are a group of villagers who want to do our bit to protect and restore nature, and reduce our environmental footprint.

Newnham Repair Cafe,

Part of Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network

Repair cafe in Oakington, Cambridgeshire

Repair cafes organized with the Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network and Cambridge Carbon Footprint

Ramsey Repair Cafe is part of the work done by Ramsey Neighbourhoods Trust.

We are a local neighbourhood association in Cambridge who are keen to encourage neighbours and the local community to repair items with the help of dedicated repairers in a social friendly environment.

Soham Repair Café

The first St Ives (Cambs) repair cafe was held in October 2022 in the Methodist Church on the Waits and was greeted with great enthusiasm by the people of St Ives, Further cafes have been held approximately every four months.

This group is dedicated to the repair cafe(s) happening in St Neots.

We are a Community Café with a Recovery heart, we have now had two repair cafes, which were awesome! We hope it will be a regular yearly occurrence.

We run a regular, monthly Repair Cafe on the first Saturday of the month at Together Culture on Fitzroy Street, Cambridge. Our Repair Cafe is drop in only and runs from 9am-12noon.

We held our first Repair Cafe at Together Culture in January 2023. Our group is part of the Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network, facilitated by Cambridge Carbon Footprint.

Repair café in Trumpington, Cambridge, operating since 2023. Currently meets in Trumpington Meadows School.

Electronics, electricals, clothing, clocks, jewellery, bikes, gadgets, sewing machines, radios, watches, woodwork. In other words we’re happy to triage (at least) most things.

We have a system where applicants fill in a web form and that feeds into a Google spreadsheet. Then we triage the repair requests and let each person know if we can help or not. In case of questions, the repairers can liaise with applicants either directly or via our administrators.

We have a good group already, but definitely open for more assistance from interested volunteers near us!

Waterbeach is a repair cafe which is usually run once a year, often, in conjunction with the Summer at the Beach art festival. It’s been running for several years.

We are a group of volunteers helping people repair their items in the local area

Already part of our network?

Access all the latest resources in the Repair Cafe Organisers Hub.

Get something fixed

Find an upcoming Repair Cafe

    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • A regular Repair Cafe on the FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - no need to book Join us for a...
    • Sat 6 Apr 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm
    • Cambridge
    • Gamlingay Repair Cafe
    • Gamlingay Repair Cafe
    • Gamlingay Eco Hub are delighted to be offering our first ever Repair Cafe! We have a wonderful group of CCF...
    • Sun 7 Apr 2024, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
    • Gamlingay
    • Bassingbourn Repair Cafe
    • Bassingbourn Repair Cafe
    • Have you got a broken hairdryer, desk lamp, toy, zip, hem, button etc? Get it mended for free at Bassingbourn...
    • Sat 13 Apr 2024, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
    • Bassingbourn
    • Fulbourn Repair Cafe
    • Fulbourn Repair Cafe
    • The Fulbourn Repair Cafe team will be back in April, ready to fix your broken electrical items, bikes, clothes, jewellery,...
    • Sat 27 Apr 2024, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
    • Fulbourn
    • Littleport Repair Cafe
    • Littleport Repair Cafe
    • Littleport and Ely Timebank are delighted to be hosting Littleport's first Repair Cafe in the wonderful Adams Heritage Centre. We...
    • Sat 27 Apr 2024, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
    • Littleport
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • A regular Repair Cafe on the FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - no need to book Join us for a...
    • Sat 4 May 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm
    • Cambridge
    • Newnham Repair Cafe
    • Newnham Repair Cafe
    • We are back for another Newnham Repair Cafe! Our team of repairers will attempt to fix almost anything you can...
    • Sat 11 May 2024, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
    • Cambridge
    • Shepreth Repair Cafe and Swish
    • Shepreth Repair Cafe and Swish
    • Sustainable Shepreth are hosting a Repair Café and Swish (clothes exchange) event on Saturday 11th May in the Village Hall....
    • Sat 11 May 2024, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
    • Shepreth
    • Burwell Repair Cafe
    • Burwell Repair Cafe
    • Burwell Repair Cafe is back! For more information and to book items in for repair visit the Burwell Repair Cafe...
    • Sun 19 May 2024, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
    • Burwell
    • Ely Repair Cafe
    • Ely Repair Cafe
    • The Ely Repair Cafe team will be back in May. Please check back closer to the time for details of...
    • Sat 25 May 2024, 11:00am - 2:00pm
    • Ely
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • A regular Repair Cafe on the FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - no need to book Join us for a...
    • Sat 1 Jun 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm
    • Cambridge
    • Swavesey Repair Cafe
    • Swavesey Repair Cafe
    • The Swavesey Repair Cafe team will be ready to fix things for you on the 1st June. More details to...
    • Sat 1 Jun 2024, 10:00am - 1:00pm
    • Swavesey
    • Coleridge Repair Cafe
    • Coleridge Repair Cafe
    • Coleridge Community Forum will be holding their first Repair Cafe on the 15th June. Please save the date and check...
    • Sat 15 Jun 2024, 10:00am - 1:00pm
    • Cambridge
    • Cottenham Repair Cafe
    • Cottenham Repair Cafe
    • The Cottenham team will be running a Repair Cafe as part of the Fen Edge Festival at Cottenham Village College,...
    • Sat 22 Jun 2024, 10:00am - 1:00pm
    • Cottenham
    • Trumpington Repair Cafe
    • Trumpington Repair Cafe
    • Trumpington Repair Cafe will be back in June. We are happy to consider most items, including textiles, electronics, electricals, sewing...
    • Sun 23 Jun 2024, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
    • Trumpington
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • A regular Repair Cafe on the FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - no need to book Join us for a...
    • Sat 6 Jul 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm
    • Cambridge
    • Rampton Repair Cafe
    • Rampton Repair Cafe
    • Sustainable Rampton will be holding their first Repair Cafe on Saturday 13th July. Please save the date and check in...
    • Sat 13 Jul 2024, 11:00am - 2:00pm
    • Rampton
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • Together Culture Repair Cafe
    • A regular Repair Cafe on the FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - no need to book Join us for a...
    • Sat 3 Aug 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm
    • Cambridge

FAQs

What is a Repair Cafe?

Repair Cafes are community events that match people who need stuff fixed with people who like fixing things. The international Repair Cafe movement kicked off in Amsterdam and now there are nearly two thousand Cafes around the world, covering most continents. Visit the webpage of the original Repair Cafe Foundation to browse a map of all locations.

Repair Cafes are completely non-commercial. There are no promises and no guarantees, but if something can be saved the repairers will do everything they can. Repairers are always keen to teach visitors how to do the repair themselves and at the very least  watch while they do it. We organise occasional repair skillshares on introducing electrical repairs, upholstery, sewing, bike maintenance etc.

Cambridgeshire is blessed with a huge number of Cafes, with more starting up all the time. In fact, we are probably a global hub with more individual Cafes than anywhere else and in 2017 we set the record for organising the 'World's Biggest Repair Cafe', since broken by groups in Devon. Local villages, towns, community groups, companies and parish council's are being supported to start their own Repair Cafes with the help of the Cambridgeshire Repair Cafe Network (CRCN). CRCN is a partnership between Cambridge Carbon FootprintTransition CambridgeSouth Cambridgeshire District Council and trailblazers Chris Moller of Cottenham Repair Cafe and Chris Lee of Royston Repair Cafe. Our Cafes are brilliantly supported by Mackays and Draper Tools who have supplied us with extensive tools boxes and gear to ensure successful repair rates of around 65%.

When and where do Repair Cafes happen?

Repair Cafes are run by volunteers and you’ll find at least two Cafes happening most months in the Cambridgeshire and Royston region. They usually happen at the weekend and are organised by green groups, charities, enthusiasts, community groups and parish councils. There is no charge for entry or repair but donations are gratefully received to help pay for costs such as room rental. You’ll find a friendly cafe at each event, serving hot drinks and delicious homemade cakes. Each Repair Cafe is listed locally and on the Circular Cambridge website.

What can I bring to the Repair Cafe?

You can basically bring anything you can carry that will not make a big mess in the venue (TV's and microwaves are exceptions). Here are some suggestions:

Small electrical or electronic appliances, bicycles, clothing in need of repair, toys, lamps, small pieces of furniture, mobile phones, laptops, printers, items that need glueing and jewellery that needs a clean/repair.

Whatever it is, bring it along. It might not even be broken – just dirty, and we can help you clean it. Don't understand the manual? We can help you with that too! You can even bring several things – though to be fair, you may have to join the queue several times!

Do I need to book in advance?

Most, but not all, Repair Cafes in Cambridgeshire operate some sort of booking system, using a simple electronic form, Eventbrite or email. This means you get to tell the organisers what you're intending to bring, and the organisers can allocate you a timeslot with a suitable repairer.Waiting isn't totally eliminated as some repairs take longer than the allocated slot, Sometimes all the booking slots will be allocated ahead of the event in which case the organisers will let you know. You are welcome to turn up without booking. You can enjoy tea and cake and soak up the lovely atmosphere whilst you wait for a repairer to hopefully become free to see your item. Please note that booked items do take priority.

What about spare parts?

Repairers will have access to common low-cost items (e.g. screws, clips, batteries, fuses etc) in the Mackay’s toolkit which they may provide free of charge.  If you need something more substantial, the repairer will help you to identify the part, and suggest where you might be able to order it online – but it will then be up to you to fit it or bring the broken item and spare part along to the next Repair Cafe.

Thinking of becoming a repairer?

With 23 separate Repair Cafes running between one and four events  a year, and the network expanding by an average of five a year, we need LOTS of great repairers. We need electrical and electronic engineers, mechanical engineers, jewellery repairers, bike repairers, sewers, restorers of books/art/ceramics, carpenters and generalists.

Our case studies will give you an idea of who currently repairs. If you would like to join our wonderful movement and friendly team then please contact the individual Café organisers listed on the map or contact Nicole at Cambridge Carbon Footprint on 01223 301842 or email Transition Cambridge’s Kate at cambridgerepaircafe@gmail.com.

You’ll be invited to sit alongside an experienced Repair Café repairer and if all is good, then you’ll be ready to start.  You can join a Repairers Register that lets organisers around Cambridgeshire know the locations you’d prefer, when you might be available and what skills you’d like to share.

Get in touch

Interested in running a Repair Cafe in your area or simply want to find out more? As well as advice by phone and email, those interested in organising a Repair Cafe can come along to our 'How to run a Repair Cafe in your Community' workshops (listed below). Please get in touch, we're very happy to help anyone living or based in the Cambrigeshire area. Contact repairnetwork@cambridgecarbonfootprint.org to find out more.

Repair Cafés further afield

There are Repair Cafés across the world. Head over to the Repair Café website to see all of the locations.

Why repair?

A staggering 44.7 million metric tonnes e-waste were generated globally in 2016. This is equal in weight to almost nine Great Pyramids of Giza or 4,500 Eiffel Towers!
Experts foresee a further 17% increase to 52.2 million metric tonnes by 2021, making it the fastest growing part of the world’s domestic waste stream.

UN Global E-Waste Monitor Report

Supporters

Thank you to everyone who helps to make Repair Cafés a reality.