Fix it, Don’t Bin it! Repair Café and Clothes Swap Coming to Wareham
By Sustainable Wareham
Do you have a broken toaster gathering dust? A favourite jumper with a tear in the sleeve? A wobbly chair you keep meaning to fix? Don’t throw them away—bring them along to Wareham’s upcoming Repair Café and Clothes Swap in Wareham this autumn and give them a new lease of life!
Sustainable Wareham is excited to host a Repair Café, taking place on Saturday 8 November from 12 noon to 14.00 at Purbeck Youth Centre, Worgret Road, Wareham, in collaboration with Swanage & Purbeck Repair Café and the Wareham Lions Club.
From electronics to furniture, clothing to bicycles, our team of volunteer ‘fixers’ will be on hand to help local residents repair and restore much-loved items—completely free of charge (though donations are very welcome!). And for those with wardrobes full of clothes they no longer wear, our Clothes Swap offers the perfect opportunity to refresh your style in a planet-friendly way.
A Win-Win for You and the Planet
Repair Cafés are all about making the most of what we already have. By fixing rather than throwing away, we reduce waste, save money, and cut down on carbon emissions associated with producing and shipping new goods. It’s a practical, feel-good way to care for the environment—while learning useful skills and connecting with others in the community.
At the same time, the Clothes Swap is a fun and sustainable way to declutter your wardrobe. Simply bring along good-quality clothes you no longer wear, and browse the rail to find something new to you. No money changes hands—just a friendly swap between neighbours.
Whether you’re a dab hand with a needle and thread or a complete novice, this event is for you. There’s no need to book—just turn up with your items and enjoy the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Call for Fixers – Could You Help?
We’re currently on the lookout for volunteer fixers of all kinds to help at the Repair Café and Clothes Swap in Wareham. If you have experience repairing small electricals, carpentry, sewing, mending bikes or any other practical skills, we’d love to hear from you!
You don’t need to be a professional—just someone who enjoys repairing things and would like to pass on your knowledge to others. You’ll be part of a friendly team, helping people breathe new life into old possessions and making a real difference to your local community.
Interested? Please email us at info@sustainablewareham.org or message us via the
What Can I Bring to the Repair Café?
Typical items we can try to fix:
- Small electrical appliances (toasters, radios, lamps, etc.)
- Clothing and textiles (mending tears, replacing zips, buttons, etc.)
- Wooden furniture (chairs, stools, drawers)
- Bicycles (basic repairs and maintenance)
Note: We can’t handle hazardous or heavy items like microwaves or TVs.
Clothes Swap: How It Works
- Bring clean, good-quality clothes you no longer wear
- Take home something new-to-you!
- All sizes and styles welcome
- Please bring no more than 3 items
Who’s Involved?
Wareham Lions Club
Wareham Lions Club is a local service group that’s been supporting the community for over 50 years. As part of the international Lions Clubs network—boasting 1.5 million members in over 400 countries—Wareham Lions are committed to helping local people and charities wherever they can. You’ve probably seen their community bus taking residents to medical appointments or social events. Now, they’re proud to support this new Repair Café, helping breathe new life into much-loved household items and reducing waste in the process.
More info: www.warehamlions.org.uk
Swanage & Purbeck Repair Café
The Swanage & Purbeck Repair Café relaunched in April 2025 under new leadership and now hosts monthly events at Herston Village Hall in Swanage. With a fantastic team of around 30 skilled volunteers—from retired professionals to keen hobbyists—they offer repairs to electricals, textiles, furniture, and more. Affiliated with Repair Café International, and supported by Sustainable Swanage and the Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust, they are now joining forces with Sustainable Wareham and the Wareham Lions to bring this successful model to our town.
Follow them on Facebook: @SwanageandPurbeckRepairCafe
Sustainable Wareham
Sustainable Wareham is a local volunteer group working to support a cleaner, greener future for our town. Our popular projects include supporting Swifts and House Martin colonies, monthly Rethinking Rubbish events, and annual Sustainable Christmas and Nature and Wildlife Fairs. Our goal is to empower residents to take practical steps toward sustainability—together.
This Repair Café and Clothes Swap is part of our mission to build a circular economy here in Purbeck—where items are reused, repaired, and recycled rather than thrown away.
Follow on Facebook: SustainableWareham and Instagram: Sustainable.Wareham
