The Institute for Community Sustainability (ICS) is looking for "Fixers" and "Helpers" for the London Repair Café! Do you value sustainability, mindful consumption, or circular economies? Are you handy around the house, have professional experience/expertise in fixing appliances, or know how to sew? One of these roles might be for you! Read on for more information.
Position: London Repair Café - Fixer or Helper
Start: January 2025
Term: 6+ months (flexible)
Commitment: 2-4 hours/month (flexible)
About the Institute for Community Sustainability (ICS)
The ICS is the not-for-profit partner of Reimagine Meals, London's plant-based, package-free meal service. Our mission is to help people live more sustainable and connected lives, and our vision is collective liberation - a world where people live in peace and harmony with each other and nature. The ICS currently runs two major programs - the London Thing Library and London Repair Café.
About the London Repair Café
The London Repair Café follows the global Repair Café movement, which began in Amsterdam in 2009, with the goals of reducing waste and overconsumption, building skills and community, fighting planned obsolescence, and advocating for the Right to Repair. At Repair Café, our handy volunteer "Fixers" help repair household items from the community. Broken lamp? Jeans with a hole? Coffee maker that just won't turn on? Don't toss it - bring it to Repair Café and learn how to fix it yourself!
London Repair Cafés typically occur on Wednesday evenings, 6 to 8 pm (sometimes on Saturdays), once or twice per month, at various locations around the city.
Volunteering as a "Fixer"
Fixers are expected to:
- Commit to attending at least five Repair Cafés per year (flexible)
- Be comfortable repairing (or attempting to repair) common household items (such as lamps, toasters, and blenders), clothing (small repairs only, not tailoring or zipper repairs), and/or bikes
Fixers are NOT expected to:
- Supply their own spare parts
- Supply all of their own tools (the ICS provide a limited selection of tools from the Thing Library)
- Repair every item (Fixers always have the right to refuse a repair if they aren't comfortable attempting it)
- Have any formal repair qualifications (though this is definitely an asset!)
Volunteering as a "Helper"
Helpers are expected to:
- Commit to attending at least five Repair Cafés per year (flexible)
- Assist the Repair Café Program Coordinator with event set-up and packdown, and either visitor check-in, check-out, triage, photography/videography, or collecting testimonials
Helpers are NOT expected to fix anything!
Repair Café volunteers have the opportunity to:
- Help Londoners repair and continue using their well-loved household items
- Contribute to making a real impact on waste reduction in London (we diverted over 1,000 kg of household waste from landfill in 2024!)
- Share expert knowledge and skills with other volunteers and the wider community
- Develop teamwork and communications skills
How to apply
Please email Julia Hammer (julia@communitysustainability.ca), Program Coordinator, to express your interest. Include any access needs you may have! You will then be invited to one of our volunteer orientation sessions.