International Repair Day marked by community workshops

Communities in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are hosting Repair Cafés to mark International Repair Day on Saturday, October 17. These volunteer-led initiatives encourage residents to bring broken household items to workshops to learn repair skills, aiming to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.

In Highbridge, the Burnham & Highbridge Repair Café will hold a session at The Purple Spoon from 10 am to 12 noon. Now in its third year, the project has expanded its program with monthly sessions scheduled through May 2027 to promote repairing, reusing, and recycling.

In the Derry and Strabane district, Repair and Share Foyle is organizing workshops to help locals extend the lifespan of their possessions. Mayor Grace Uí Niallais noted that choosing to repair items instead of replacing them can save money and conserve valuable resources while strengthening community connections.