Stop buying new things and head to ‘Repair Week' instead
How to mend clothes, bikes, computers...
Tuesday, 14th March 2023 — By Geoffrey Sawyer
WHEN things rip, tear, break or get bashed – what do you do?
If the quick answer is throw them away and go out and buy a new one, then a series of events in Islington next week could be just right for you.
Repair Week, from March 20 to March 26, will give people the chance to learn how to mend, repair and upcycle. This is a sound way to save money but also help the environment.
The shocking but all too little known fact is that it takes 2,500–2,700 litres of water (three years’ worth of drinking water) to produce just one t-shirt.
The events next week will also provide an opportunity to hear from businesses leading the charge in the move away from single-use culture.
Follow events on Instagram and Twitter @IslingtonLife and use the hashtag #IslingtonRepairWeek. For event details visit www.islingtonlife.london
More details on each event below:
Bike maintenance sessions
Sunday 19 March, 10am–12noon; Sunday 26 March, 10am–12noon and 1–3pm
Birchmore Hall, Highbury Quadrant, N5 2UA
Is your bike in need of a repair? Come along to one of the sessions at Birchmore Hall, where experts will provide you with tips on how to look after your bike and do some simple repairs.
Garment upcycling and repair workshops by Fashion Enter
Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 March, 10am–3pm
Designer Collective, 113–115 Fonthill Road, N4 3HH
Learn some sewing essentials like fitting zips and trims as well as how to upcycle your clothes with Fashion Enter’s drop-in workshops. Sewing machines and some materials will be provided, as will photos and videos, so you can put your new skills to use at home. On Friday, the best pieces from the week will be displayed in the shop!
Computer maintenance and troubleshooting workshop by Mer IT
Wednesday 22 March, 6.30–8.30pm; Thursday 23 March, 3–5pm
MER IT, room 127, 40 Bowling Green Lane, EC1R 0NE
Join specialists from Mer IT for a two-hour, hands-on IT repair workshop and learn how computers work, how to maintain them, choose appropriate tech and to repair common software issues and basic hardware upgrades.
Linux workshop by Mer IT
Wednesday 22 March, 3–5pm; Thursday 23 March, 6.30–8.30pm
MER IT, room 127, 40 Bowling Green Lane, EC1R 0NE
Is your laptop too old for software upgrades? Learn how to install this operating system to carry on using your machine with this four-hour beginners’ workshop.
Furniture and small wooden items upcycling and repair workshop by Islington Repair Team
Thursday 23 March, 10am–3pm
Repairs Training Facility, unit 9, Bush Industrial Estate, Station Road, N19 5UN
Learn basic woodwork skills from experts and bring along small or medium wooden items (chests of drawers, bed side cabinets, shelving units, chairs etc) for repair and upcycling on the spot. You will be able to fix, polish, varnish, paint or apply patterns to your items. Run by Islington Council’s joinery team.
Children’s repair workshop by Team Repair
Thursday 23 March, 3.45–7pm
Elizabeth House, Moonstone Room, 2 Hurlock Street, N5 1ED
In these one-hour workshops, children aged eight to 14 can learn how to repair an item using a repair kit, including games consoles, remote control pads, microscopes and radios.
Textile upcycling workshop by PatchPatch
Thursday 23 March, 2–6pm
Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Drive, N1 0DX
Make a monster with your old t-shirt or a beautiful cushion cover by reusing old shirts, jeans or scrap fabrics! Bring an old, clean t-shirt and/or any clean old clothing (though it’s better if they don’t stretch) and an instructor will help you to design and make toys, cushion covers or bags out of it.
Repair Cafe for electrical and electronic items
Saturday 25 March, 11am–3pm
Vibast Centre, 167 Old Street, EC1V 9NH
An opportunity to learn how to repair your electrical and electronic items from skilled technicians, who will help you repair your broken items on the spot. Be prepared to get stuck in!
Dr Bike repair sessions
Saturday 25 March, 11am–3pm
Vibast Community Centre, 167 Old Street, EC1V 9NH
Get your bike checked and repaired, if needed, by a mechanic for free with Dr Bike.
Visit the website for more information.
