Volunteer Repairer

Volunteer Repairer

Posted for Newbury and Thatcham Repair Cafe

Posted by Volunteer Centre West Berkshire

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire website to express your interest.

As a volunteer repairer you will be part of a team of volunteers, helping to repair broken items which visitors bring in for free repairs and therefore reducing waste in West Berkshire.

After registering the item at reception, the visitor, under the guidance of event management volunteers, brings it to your work table where, together with the visitor, you will investigate what repair is required, talking through the process with them. If the repair is feasible, you lead the repair while the visitor remains with you so that repairing skills are passed on. If the repair isn't feasible (time constraints or lack of tools or spares), then you may be able to give advice about spare parts, possibly suggesting a return visit to a Repair Café, local resources or, very reluctantly, advise that the item is beyond repair.

As a volunteer repairer you will be part of a team of repairers who support each other and collaborate as much as possible. If you are unsure as to how to proceed you can ask for advice and ideas from others as well as providing advice to others if they ask for help. Volunteers learn from each other and are part of a community who enjoy helping others.

There are also other volunteers who run the event, including providing you, the volunteer, with tea and coffee!

Newbury events are held at Newbury Methodist Church Hall, RG14 1AN 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in February, April, June, September and November

Thatcham events are held at Frank Hutchings Community Hall, RG18 4QH 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in January, March, May, July and October

What skills do I need?

A variety of repair skills are needed - at least one of the following repair skills (if you have more than one, that's great!):

  • Electrical safety (PAT) Testing
  • Electrical repairs
  • Electronic repairs
  • PC, laptop, tablet repairs
  • Clothing/textile repairs
  • Woodwork repair
  • Clock repair 
  • Garden tools repair
  • Costume Jewellery repair, cleaning and advice
  • Blade sharpening
  • General repairs e.g. toys, kitchen tools
  • Ceramics
  • IT and Mobile phone advice
Please note: Repairers don't need to be professionally trained or experts, except for electrical safety (PAT testing), as many repairs are relatively simple and straightforward. You are the kind of person who will have a go at fixing things before throwing them out.

Other attributes:
  • Being able to talk through a repair with the owner, passing on repair skills
  • You like fixing broken items, and enjoy the problem-solving and pleasure of having done so
  • Decision-making is helpful when deciding if and how an item can be repaired at the Repair Cafe
  • A sense of humour when you find the burnt sultana stuck at the bottom of a broken toaster!

Posted for Newbury and Thatcham Repair Cafe

Posted by Volunteer Centre West Berkshire

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire website to express your interest.

Details

  • Accessibility
  • DBS check required
  • Equal opportunities policy
  • Expenses reimbursed
  • Ongoing support
  • Safeguarding policy
  • Suitable for under 18s
  • Training provided
  • Volunteer induction
  • Volunteer policy
  • Volunteers covered by insurance
  • Written role description

When is this role available?

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Events run about once a month on a Sunday afternoon 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., alternating each month between Newbury and Thatcham. There are no events in August and December. Events last for 2.5 hours. Volunteers are asked to be at the venue at least 30 minutes before the start time to help set up tables, equipment, PAT test electrical equipment brought in, etc, and are also asked to help clear up at the end. The commitment for any particular event is about 3.5 hours. Volunteers are not required to be at every event, but we'd love it if you were available as much as possible.

Location:

Newbury Methodist Church Hall
Northbrook Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 1AN

Frank Hutchings Community Hall
Bradley-Moore Square
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 4QH

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire website to express your interest.

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