Saturday, 25 October 2025
Repair Cafés in Northern Ireland: Fixing Items, Connecting Communities, and Reducing Waste A growing number of people across Northern Ireland are rediscovering the value of repairing rather than replacing, thanks to Repair Café Northern Ireland and its expanding network of community repair projects. Recent research suggests that around 60% of people in Northern Ireland throw […]
A growing number of people across Northern Ireland are rediscovering the value of repairing rather than replacing, thanks to Repair Café Northern Ireland and its expanding network of community repair projects.
Recent research suggests that around 60% of people in Northern Ireland throw away items that could be fixed or given a second life. Repair cafés aim to change that, helping people save money, cut waste, and build connections across communities.
The Carryduff Repair Café, one of 12 across Northern Ireland, welcomes people bringing everything from broken clocks to worn-out dolls in hopes of giving them a new lease of life. The volunteers offer their time and expertise to fix items that might otherwise end up in landfill.
According to Chris McCartney, who coordinates the network, the cafés have already mended more than 3,500 items, preventing around 7.5 tonnes of waste from being discarded.
The initiative is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, which promotes community-led environmental projects such as upcycling, sewing, and repairing. These projects not only help reduce waste but also boost wellbeing and confidence by helping people learn practical skills.
The Carryduff Repair Café is full of stories of craftsmanship and sentimentality.
Volunteer Karen Donnelly, who has become known for fixing dolls, says the emotional side of the work is often just as important as the physical repair.
“We had to re-attach arms and legs, the clothes were all washed and refitted, the hair was so matted,” she said. “With dolls, there’s always a sentimental thing with them. It’s not the first time there has been some tears over dolls at the cafe.”
Volunteer Bill Owen, who specialises in electrical repairs, recently helped restore a Disney-themed Christmas ornament for Donna Drew’s family after it stopped lighting up properly. “We think there is an intermittent fault. Even just moving the tree may have improved something on the ornament.”
Meanwhile, Ian McClure, known locally as the “clock man,” spends his time reviving treasured timepieces. “The clocks keep me full time here as there are currently not many people repairing clocks,” he said.
One customer, Brydie, brought in a cuckoo clock that once belonged to her father. “My late husband hated the music from the clock because it interfered with our television. I didn’t know what he did when he stopped the clock but Ian was able to fix it.”
Carryduff Repair Café Secretary said that while the environmental impact is central, the social side is equally rewarding.
“The cup of tea, the buns, and the chats are just as important as the fix itself,” they explained. “Our main aim is to stop things going into landfill and reduce the environmental impact but there’s a really positive, social impact as well.”
A recent visitor, Deirdre Beattie, brought along an Indian plate that had cracked in transit after being purchased at the Taj Mahal by her daughter and son-in-law. The volunteers successfully repaired it, which was another sentimental win for the group.
Repair Café Northern Ireland is continuing to expand its network, bringing more people together to share skills and reduce waste. Each repair saved means one less item in landfill and one more story preserved.
From electricals and clothing to keepsakes and clocks, these community cafés are showing that sustainability starts close to home, one repair at a time.
With support from the National Lottery Community Fund and growing public interest, Repair Café Northern Ireland plans to continue expanding its network beyond the current 12 cafés. The aim is to make repair opportunities available in every major town, helping more people gain practical skills and reduce the number of items ending up in landfill.
Organisers hope to strengthen partnerships with schools, men’s sheds, and community centres to pass on repair knowledge to younger generations. By building confidence in fixing everyday items, these cafés are encouraging a cultural shift, one where repair, reuse, and resourcefulness become second nature.
As awareness of environmental issues increases, the movement shows that meaningful climate action can begin locally, with a screwdriver, a sewing needle, and a shared cup of tea.
Repair Café Northern Ireland’s success reflects a simple but powerful idea: small acts of repair can have a big impact. By saving over 7.5 tonnes of materials from waste, teaching valuable skills, and creating a sense of community, the volunteers are proving that sustainability is as much about people as it is about the planet.
Each repaired clock, doll, or ornament tells a story of care, creativity, and connection. As these cafés continue to grow, they are not just mending broken things, they’re helping to mend our relationship with what we own, and with one another.
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