The Wheel Repair Cafe at Canons House, Mitcham

London, United Kingdom

Hosted by Group avatarThe Wheel Repair Cafe (Sustainable Merton)

Volunteers at a Restart Party fixing devices, cropped on hands

Description

Welcome to the world of fixing fun! If you would like to be in a community of people preventing tech, electrical, and textiles waste, you’ve come to the right place. Join us at our free Repair Cafés with a broken item and get it repaired for free by one of our volunteer repairers. You might even learn how to fix the item yourself while you are there. 

Sometimes we can’t fix things there and then, but we can try to figure out the issue together. Our repairers bring basic tools, but if the item needs a replacement part please bring it with you, or the repairers can tell you what to order and you can bring it to the next café.

We have a few guidelines for bringing along an item:

  • Bring only one item to each event. We want to make sure as many people as possible can feel the joy of fixing an item.
  • You need to be able to bring the item with you and take it back home afterwards. If the item is too heavy or large to carry on your own, we won’t have time to fix it.
  • Any textiles will need to be washed and dry before bringing them along.
  • We can repair damaged clothing, but sadly we won’t have the time to carry out alterations.
  • We are not able to repair power tools.
  • There might be a bit of a wait before your item is looked at by one of our volunteer repairers. We recommend bringing along a book, or if you’re feeling outgoing chat to another Repair Café visitor!
  • We’re happy to help you learn how to repair. We are not repair professionals, and the Repair Café is a community self-repair space. Attending means that you take responsibility for your own item. Please back up your data on tech items.

We know our Repair Café s make an impact and we always make sure to gather that data. When you arrive, we’ll weigh your item and ask a couple of questions about the item’s age, brand, and what it’s made from. After every Repair Café we share how much waste we stopped from being sent to landfill or incineration, and how much CO2 emissions were prevented too.

Be sure to register on The Wheel website and let us know if you’re bringing along a broken item to fix. We can’t wait to see you there!

Location

Get directions on Google Maps

19 Madeira Rd, Mitcham CR4 4HD, UK

About the group

Group avatar

The Wheel Repair Cafe (Sustainable Merton)

Hi Restarters,

Great to be here!

Repair Cafes in the London borough of Merton are currently being hosted by The Wheel, an all things-waste-reduction-and-circular-economy initiative by the local environmental charity, Sustainable Merton.

We are always looking for friendly repairers so if you are able to help out at the next Repair Cafe, please get in touch here or at [email protected]

Group Stats

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Restart Party Do’s and Don’ts

DO

  • Check if your device is still within warranty, you may be eligible for a free repair, replacement or a refund. (Which? helps in the UK).
  • Take responsibility for your device and your data. Our volunteers are here to help you learn to fix your gadget, not to provide a free repair service. Get involved!
  • Backup your data. We can’t be responsible for your cat pics, so please back up your device before you come. (Of course you already do this once a month, right?)
  • Charge up your device and bring all leads.
  • Get in touch with organisers if you have any questions about whether a fix is possible.

DON’T

  • Assume repairs will be successful. We help fix over half of devices at our events. Even if your repair is unsuccessful, you will learn about your device and why it failed.
  • Expect us to have spare parts. But we can help you source them. Often people visit twice: first we’ll help diagnose the fault, then you source the spare part, and on your return we’ll help you do a replacement.
  • Attempt a mobile screen repair just to save money. DIY mobile screen repair is a learning opportunity first and foremost. Please see our advice page first.
  • Bring a microwave.