Sarah Case
The Share and Repair Network would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend our first ever Share and Repair Gathering on the 3rd of March 2023.
We were delighted to be able to meet with, celebrate and discuss the share and repair sector across Scotland with so many enthusiastic and engaged attendees.
Share and Repair Network Coordinator Emma Erwin has shared a summary of the event for those who were unable to attend, with links throughout of organisations featured:
‘The Gathering started with a rousing game of rock paper scissors (congrats to champion Dan Rous from Cumbernauld Vineyard Church Repair Café!) followed by some thought-provoking talks by Craig Dalzell from Common Weal and Fiona Dear from the Restart Project.
We were then delighted to highlight three very different share and repair projects about the great work they’re doing: Victoria McQuillan from Scottish Library and Information Council which is establishing Lend and Mend Hubs in public libraries across Scotland, Beverly Campbell from Seascape, which is lending furniture as part of their inspirational work helping people facing homelessness, and Charlie Traylor from The Men of Leith Men’s Shed which is running both repair cafes and a repair service.
Our World Café session covered all kinds of topics from engaging people in projects to influencing government and local authorities.
Breakout sessions included how to set up a sharing library and a repair project and how to grow or sustain a sharing library and a repair project. We were pleased to hear from experienced groups who raised interesting questions and speakers shared fascinating insights.
The last session focused on what a network can provide. We heard from two brilliant networks in Wales: Benthyg Cymru and Repair Café Wales, which shared the great package of support they provides their members. Participants were then invited to discuss what support they’d like to see from a network. The feedback from this is incredibly helpful for planning forward for the Share and Repair Network.
The day ended with a drinks reception sponsored by Acutest, accompanied by music arranged by Share and Repair Network member Music Broth.
Throughout the Gathering the exhibition by unbroken.solutions was on display, showing the impact of e-waste and some solutions from around the world. It acted as a great reminder of what we are working towards.’
The Share and Repair Network would like to thank:
- Everyone at Made in Stirling who hosted and supported the event.
- Mediterranea for providing exceptional catering.
- Michael Cook, CEO of Circular Communities Scotland, for being our event host.
- Naomi Campbell, Chair of Circular Communities Scotland, for hosting breakout sessions and bringing our event to a close.
- All our speakers, particularly those who came from as far as England and Wales to join us: Fiona Dear from the Restart Project, Ella Smillie from Benthyg Cymru and Phoebe Brown from Repair Café Wales.
- Mark Phillips for bringing the unbroken.solutions exhibition so far north and photographing the day.
- Williams Brothers Brewing Co for providing a generous discount for our drinks reception.
- Acutest for sponsoring the drinks reception.
- Music Broth for the lovely music during the drinks
- The Circular Communities Scotland team.
- Everyone who attended the event and supported the work of the Share and Repair Network.
To keep up to date with the Share and Repair Network’s events, be sure to join as a member to receive invites and keep an eye on the Circular Communities Scotland events page.
