Plastic Free North Devon announces funding for Repair Cafes project

Plastic Free North Devon (PFND) is excited to announce that they have secured funding from the Postcode Local Trust to deliver their Repair Cafe project across North Devon throughout 2024.

The PFND Repair Cafes provide a welcoming space for people to bring various items for mending. They are an opportunity to come together as a community, learn new skills, save money and help save the planet.

The aim of a repair cafe is to reduce waste by helping people to repair items that may otherwise be thrown away, to support people during the cost of living crisis and to create welcoming community hubs for all members of the community to benefit from.

The PFND Repair Cafe network has grown significantly since its inception in 2021. Thanks to instrumental partners and a growing network of volunteers our Repair Cafe’s now run in five locations (Braunton, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, South Molton and Landkey) and the charity's volunteers have fixed 366 textile, electrical, mechanical and bike repairs to date.

Funding from the Postcode Local Trust will be used to build on what has already been created over the last couple of years. The funding will allow the charity to continue to run bi-monthly Repair Cafes in five locations and build the stakeholder and volunteer involvement to grow the impact and reach of the cafes.

They also aim to deliver two skills workshops and two pop-up cafes in Barnstaple and Ilfracombe high street. The charity is also passionate about interlinking with more diverse communities and building momentum around tackling the climate crisis through repairing, and are building this into the plan for 2024.

Anne-Marie Eveleigh, Operations Manager - PFND said: "We are so grateful to the People’s Local Trust for this grant to help us continue to build momentum for the Repair Cafe movement.

"Repair cafes link the concept of repairing to collective action on climate change. Each cafe gives an opportunity to link with different members of the community and celebrate what we are doing, which reinforces the repair movement. Running these cafes are very rewarding and they give individuals accessible, free and cheap tools to take action."

Claire Moodie, CEO - PFND explained: "Our Repair Cafes are all unique. Each one has a group of dedicated stakeholders and offers varied repair services to customers. What makes the cafes similar is the groups of passionate volunteers at each location who make these cafes what they are. Each cafe is a cross generational welcoming community space allowing people to share, learn and consume tea and coffee together!

"We are so pleased to have received funding from the Postcode Local Trust to allow us to build and grow this important and impactful network."

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted that our players are supporting the Repair Café initiative, giving so many local people across North Devon the opportunity to come together and learn new skills for a more sustainable future.”

If you are a business, community organisation and/or group and are keen to support or get involved in the cafes please get in touch. If you're an individual and keen to get involved, they would love to hear from you too.

The charity is always looking for volunteers to help with repairs, making tea and coffee or just chatting to people when they come in too, Please contact: info@plasticfreenorthdevon.org for more information.