The 2023 Repair Cafe season is coming to an end as the Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) prepares to host its third and final session of the year.
The events provided a space for residents to have their household items repaired at no cost thanks to skilled volunteers.
For this year’s final cafe, Nichole Marples, executive director of LEPS, said there are eight confirmed volunteers who can assist with repairs for textiles, most appliances, computers and keyboards, electrical equipment like lamps or headphones, and minor bike issues.
The event will be in the Firehouse Cafe, at the Aldergrove Community Station House, operated by Langley Meals on Wheels.
“This venue in Aldergrove will give us much more space. It has a lovely downstairs space, as well as a large upstairs area,” Marples said.
This Repair Cafe is also the final one held in conjunction with the Langley Township Intergenerational Skill and Story Sharing project, funded by BC Healthy Communities. However, Marples said LEPS will be able to host a few more Repair Cafes until at least June next year thanks to funding received from Vancity Credit Union.
“These events have been an overwhelming success. This is a new focus for LEPS, and it has helped expand our reach,” Marples said, commenting on this year’s season.
Between the two previous Repair Cafes, volunteers repaired 64 items including bikes, clothes, tools, appliances, and other household items.
“What we have discovered is that so many household products can be repair using the experience and collective skills in our growing community of volunteer repairers,” she said.
Marples estimates, using a carbon calculator developed in the U.K., that the CO2 emissions saved from the Repair Cafes is about 4,752 kg – the equivalent carbon emissions of driving 31,762 km.
“By repairing, our community saves money and resources, reduces CO2 emissions, and even has fun along the way!”
She adds that the cafes inspire sustainability at a local level as well.
“Repair Cafes encourage people to work together, share knowledge, and learn from one another. This helps people engage with like-minded community members, practise teamwork, and build relationships from a place of reciprocity, trust, and sustainability.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25.
The Firehouse Cafe is at 2900 272nd St.
People interested in volunteering can email Sophia at restoration@leps.bc.ca.
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