Recommendations for recruiting volunteers - new repair cafe started

[Lydia_Fraser-WardWanstead]

Hi Restarters Network!

I’m setting up a brand Repair Cafe in London and would welcome advice on how to recruit repair volunteers. We are volunteer-led project and currently have no funding secured yet, but we’re working on it! So for now, could really do with help from volunteer repairers to help us get started.

Any tips for how to locate and reach out to people with these skills who might be willing to volunteer at our new Repair Cafe?

[james]

Hi Lydia, welcome to the community!

It’s great to hear you’re keen to start a new repair group in London. There’s already quite an extensive network of groups across the city.

In which area are you hoping to run events?

It may be that you could team up with an existing group nearby. And in any case, we’d highly reccomend joining the London network. I’m tagging our London coordinator @Shelini_Kotecha, who may be able to advise further.

And in terms of recruiting volunteers, Shelini started a really useful topic on this not too long ago, which is full of handy tips and advice:

Top tips for recruiting fixers, let's help each other grow our groups!

Hi all, I’m in the process of creating a guide on tips and tricks for recruiting fixers for repair events which will go up on our website. Does anyone have any handy tips they’d like to share? I’ll start: Listing your group and event on Restarters.net Community outreach, have some dedicated time to create a map of local events and networks that you could connect to Attend local events like sustainability fairs, street fairs Look forward to hearing your suggestions

[Shelini_Kotecha]

Hi @Lydia_Fraser-WardWanstead,

To echo what James said, please let me know if you’d like more info on how to set up a group on this platform and use it to recruit for volunteers. I’d be happy to set up a call with you!

I’ve summarised that thread in this document for easy reading: Top tips for recruiting fixers

[Dave]

Hi Lydia,
Off the top of my head…
You’re not that far from Hackney Fixers, Forest Fixers and a few other groups, such as Tower Hamlets Fixers so maybe you could nudge a few of the volunteers there to turn up and help, at least while you get going?

I presume you’re already in contact with Michaela at ELWA: can she maybe publicise it through their mailing list and put it on the website?

Also I notice that you’ve already got 2 volunteer fixers (plus me ) signed up to your group, so you’re on the way!

I’m hoping that some people further afield, like me, might be persuaded to come along to the first couple of events to give you a leg up, as long as there is plenty of notice so we can fit it into our schedules.

Maybe I could even be persuaded to revive That Jacket for the first event

[Lydia_Fraser-WardWanstead]

Dear James,

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I really appreciate all this advice. I am actually in contact with Shelini already but I will follow up on your other suggestions too.

Many thanks and all the best,

Lydia
Wanstead Repair Cafe

[Lydia_Fraser-WardWanstead]

Hi Dave,

Thank you so much for getting in touch! It’s great to hear that you are coming. Apologies, as I’m new to the Restart website I’m still working my way around it trying to figure things out!

It’s wonderful that you are signed up to help at our inaugural Repair Cafe in Wanstead on Sunday 13th October. We’d be delighted to have your help! I’m not in touch with ELWA directly myself as the local authority manage all the communication with them directly on our behalf but they are supporting the event with promotion etc.

I’ll be in touch again over the next few days with all the final details about the event next weekend. Until then, thank you so much for getting in touch, and for all your advice. And yes…please bring that jacket! That’s fantastic

Speak soon,

Lydia
Wanstead Repair Cafe

[Dave]

Hi Lydia,
I said “might”!

I haven’t signed up to the event yet, I’ve only followed the group.

I’m hoping to be there on the 13th, but it’s not definite yet.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Lydia_Fraser-WardWanstead]

Ok no worries!

Do let me know if you can.

All the best,

Lydia
Wanstead Repair Cafe

[steve.cousens]

Hi.

Market Harborough Fixers C.I.C started 5 years ago from very basic means. Now we open weekly.

Facebook and Instagram posts & appeals initially produced results for us.

Then talking about the group and its needs on the local fm radio station helped too.

Good luck with your efforts and keep believing…

[Lydia_Fraser-WardWanstead]

Thank you Steve. I really appreciate this advice!

All the best,

Lydia
Wanstead Repair Cafe

[Dave]

Hi Lydia,
Sorry, can’t make it tomorrow: life has intruded

I’ll try to get to the next one when it’s announced.

More thoughts about getting volunteers in case no-one has suggested them yet:

• use local social media such as Nextdoor,
• don’t forget good old physical media such as posters on noticeboards!

Cheers,
Dave.

[Lydia_Fraser-WardWanstead]

Thanks for letting me know Dave, and for the tips!

Hopefully see you at the next one.

All the best,

Lydia
Wanstead Repair Cafe

[Caitlin_Mackesy_Davies]

Hi Lydia,

If you have a local maker space that is a good place to look and also ‘men’s sheds’ can be useful if you have one around you. Otherwise, if you have any further education centres that train on relevant skills there may be staff or students who could get involved. Good luck!
Caitlin