At the Network of Wellbeing (NOW) and the Share Shed, our library of things in Devon, we’re keen to foster stronger, more sustainable communities through sharing, repairing, and skill-building. We’re always excited to connect with like-minded initiatives that align with our values and goals. One such inspiring initiative is the United Repair Centre (URC), which is making remarkable strides in promoting a repair culture.
United Repair Centre: Pioneering Repair and Sustainability
Originally set up in Amsterdam (and with another centre now in London), the United Repair Centre is a ground-breaking social enterprise dedicated to reducing waste and promoting sustainability through repair. The centre partners with clothing brands such as Patagonia and The North Face to provide repair services that employ refugees and individuals facing employment barriers. Its mission is to extend the life of products by providing high-quality repairs, thereby reducing waste in landfills.
At the heart of URC’s approach is the belief that repairing items, rather than discarding them, is a crucial step towards a more sustainable future. This ethos resonates deeply with our work at NOW and the Share Shed, where we champion the values of reuse and repair.
Credit: United Repair Centre
Shared Values and Goals
Reducing Waste: Both NOW and the URC are committed to reducing waste by encouraging people to repair and reuse items instead of throwing them away. By extending the life of products, we can significantly decrease the emissions from manufacture and the waste that pollutes our environment.
Building Skills: Skill-building is a core component of both initiatives. At the Share Shed, we offer skill-sharing workshops that empower individuals with practical knowledge, from how to maintain and repair a bicycle to tool sharpening and clothes mending. Similarly, the URC provides training programmes for repair specialists, fostering a new generation of skilled sewers who can breathe new life into damaged items.
Strengthening Community: Both NOW and the URC recognise the power of community. The Share Shed operates as a library of things, where people can borrow items they need, fostering a sense of shared ownership and collaboration. The URC creates a community of repairers and consumers who are united by a common goal of sustainability and resourcefulness.
Promoting Wellbeing: There’s a profound sense of satisfaction and wellbeing that comes from repairing something with your own hands. At NOW, we see first-hand how learning new skills and participating in community activities can boost mental health and foster a sense of accomplishment while building communities. The URC similarly highlights the joy and pride that come with giving an item a second life.
Credit: United Repair Centre
Encouraging a Repair Mindset
Embracing a repair culture is not just about fixing broken items; it’s about shifting our mindset towards valuing sustainability and resourcefulness. Here are some ways we can all contribute:
- Learn to Repair: Attend workshops or online tutorials to learn basic repair skills. Whether it’s mending clothes, fixing electronics, or sharpening tools, these skills are invaluable.
- Support Repair Initiatives: Engage with and support local repair cafés, libraries of things, and projects like the United Repair Centre. These organisations are at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices.
- Choose to Repair: Before discarding an item, consider if it can be repaired. Often, a small fix can save you money and reduce waste.
- Share Your Skills: If you have repair skills, share them with others in your community. Volunteer at repair cafés or host skill-sharing sessions.
- Advocate for Change: Advocate for policies and practices that support a circular economy, where products are designed to be repaired and reused. Engage with the Right to Repair movement.
The United Repair Centre is a pioneer of sustainability, demonstrating the power of repair in reducing waste and enhancing wellbeing. We are proud to share these values and work towards a common goal of creating resilient, resourceful communities.
By choosing to repair, we can all play a part in building a more sustainable and connected world. Let’s celebrate and support initiatives like the URC, and continue to champion the importance of repair and sharing in our everyday lives.
Together, we can make a difference.
For more information about the United Repair Centre, visit www.unitedrepaircentre.com, and for more information about the Share Shed, visit www.shareshed.org.uk.