Posted on Thursday 28th November 2024
Moorlands Repair Cafe
A Staffordshire community group dedicated to reducing waste and promoting sustainability has helped repair and repurpose over 300 unwanted household items.
Moorlands Repair Cafe, based in Leek, received £500 from Staffordshire County Council’s Climate Action Fund for their project. The group used the funding to purchase PAT testing equipment and to train volunteers to test electrical goods.
Amongst the items repaired were clothing, electrical goods, World War 1 medals and even a 100-year-old Christmas tree. Many of the items have now been passed on to new owners who are using them.
Mike Jones, Coordinator at Moorland’s Repair Café, said:
“We’re very grateful for the funding from the county council. It’s been vital to the success of the project and encouraging for us, as we know what we’re doing is making a difference.
“It’s a fun project to be involved in as you never know what items are coming through the door. There’s also great satisfaction fixing something and then seeing someone using it and benefitting from it. The cafe’s success in repairing over 300 items this year is great news. Keeping them in circulation also supports the county council’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Simon Tagg, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change, said:
“It’s fantastic to see local community groups and projects like the repair café making such a difference in local communities.
“With help from our Climate Action Fund, we are able to support many different projects that help tackle climate change and help make Staffordshire sustainable. And by all working together , we are closer to reaching our goal of net zero.”
The Climate Action Fund, now in its fifth year, has allocated over £267,000 to 290 non-profit groups. It highlights the council’s ongoing commitment to empowering communities to address climate change.
The second part of the fund is open until 13 December for grants of between £3,000 and £5,000, for projects focused on renewable energy and the circular economy.
The council encourages all eligible community groups to apply for funding and join the collective effort to build a more sustainable future for Staffordshire.
Further information is available on the Climate Action Fund webpage.
Mike Jones talks about the project in this short video.