Community repair hub in Richmond saves belongings

The Fixery, a community repair hub in Richmond at Grove Gardens Chapel, has become the place where broken possessions find new life and neighbours learn the lost art of mending. Last weekend the chapel hummed with sewing machines, electrical diagnostics and the quiet satisfaction of rescuing a treasured item from the bin.

Circular Economy Week has put the spotlight on Richmond’s grassroots repair movement.

How The Fixery works

Bring your broken items to Grove Gardens Chapel and you will find volunteer fixers who know their way around a sewing machine, a soldering iron and most things in between.

The Fixery offers repair advice, practical skills workshops and a warm welcome to anyone who would rather mend than discard. You can bring clothes that need stitching, small electrical items that have stopped working, or simply watch and learn from people who still remember how things are put together. The chapel provides the space, the tools and the tea. You provide the item and the willingness to give it another chance. Sessions run regularly, and the atmosphere is as much about conversation and community as it is about починка. Circular Economy Week celebrates lending, borrowing, repairing and sharing, and The Fixery embodies all four.

If you have ever stood over a bin holding something that feels too good to throw away, this is the place that proves your instinct right.

What you can bring and learn

The Fixery handles a wide range of household repairs, from textiles to small appliances.

Clothes, bags, curtains and soft furnishings are regular visitors, along with lamps, radios, toasters and other electrical items that can be safely assessed on site. The volunteers are skilled but realistic: some repairs are straightforward, others require parts or specialist knowledge, and a few items have genuinely reached the end of their useful life. You will leave with either a working item, a clear plan for what comes next, or the honest reassurance that you tried. The workshops cover practical skills such as basic sewing, understanding electrical faults and learning to maintain tools. Even if you leave without a fixed toaster, you often leave knowing how to prevent the next one from breaking.

The real currency here is not money but time, patience and the shared belief that throwing things away should be the last resort, not the first.

What this means for you

Check The Fixery’s schedule and book a slot if your item needs attention before the next drop-in session. Bring the broken item, any spare parts you have kept, and a willingness to learn what went wrong. If you have repair skills, the project welcomes new volunteers. Grove Gardens Chapel is on Little Green, Richmond, easily reached on foot from Richmond station or by the 65 and 371 buses.

The Fixery proves that Richmond residents value keeping useful things in use, and that repair is a skill worth preserving and sharing. If you have something worth saving, Grove Gardens Chapel is where that happens.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book in advance?

Some sessions accept drop-ins, while others require booking to manage volunteer availability. Check The Fixery’s current schedule before you visit to avoid disappointment.

Is there a charge for repairs?

The Fixery operates on a donation basis. You are invited to contribute what you can afford, and all funds support the running of the project, tools and materials.

What if my item cannot be fixed?

The volunteers will explain why a repair is not possible and, where appropriate, suggest alternatives such as spare parts suppliers, specialist repairers or responsible recycling options.

Can I volunteer if I have repair skills?

Yes. The Fixery welcomes volunteers with skills in sewing, electronics, carpentry or general repair work. Contact the project directly to discuss how you can help.

Useful resources

• The Fixery at Grove Gardens Chapel