West Midlands Repair Cafés get funding boost
Four locations will receive thousands in additional financing to support the region’s circular economy.
Bilbrook Repair Café, Harbourne St John’s Church Repair Café, Highley Shropshire Repair Café, and the Roliston Forestry Repair Café have been awarded £4,700 by energy-to-waste company, enfinium.
Operating costs will be prioritised, alongside outreach programmes to build awareness of the services on offer. These include repairs and rebuilds of garden tools, small electronics like lamps and radios, and family heirlooms.
The financing forms part of a wider pledge of £60,000 for repair cafés by enfinium, which will support sites within a 30mile radius of the company’s operating bases. The firm has sites in Kent, North Wales, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands.
Six repair cafés have now received money through the scheme. The Fund will reopen on 1st January 2025 with a deadline of 31st May 2025 for applications. Successful bids will receive £1,500 of annual funding.
‘To achieve a sustainable economy, it is important that the UK reduces the amount of waste it produces. This is why enfinium are committed to supporting Repair Café initiatives in the communities in which we operate, such as West Bromwich,’ said Karl Smyth, Director of External Affairs and Strategic Policy at enfinium. ‘We are thrilled to provide funding to these four Repair Cafés to support their invaluable work in the local community.’
Last month, John Lewis announced a new partnership with Timpson, trialling repair services at five locations in England. Earlier this year, Material Focus reopened its funding to support community electrical recycling schemes.
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Image: enfinium