Fixing Factories August update
And we’re off! It’s been an exciting few months
Training a new generation of maintainers and fixers
We offered 11 'hard to reach' young people from Camden and Brent the chance to get a taste of computer fault diagnosis and repair with our training and work experience course delivered by Mer-IT. Read about Dermot from Camden Fixing Factory’s visit to a training session here.
Photo credit: Dermot Jones, Camden Fixing Factory
What’s been happening at Fixing Factory Brent?
Regular volunteer sessions are up and running, systems are being developed and dozens of laptops have already been diverted from the waste stream. A few weeks back we got the first laptop into the hands of our first beneficiary - a young student from Kuwait who’d been using her mobile to attend online classes and do homework. This was a lovely milestone, and of course the first of hundreds of laptops we aim to get into the hands of those in need to start bridging the digital divide.
A big shout out to our first volunteers from Google and Virgin Media who got stuck into several sessions at Brent. They were absolutely brilliant - learning some basic laptop diagnosis and repair techniques and bringing skills of their own to streamline our work.
Members of the Fixing Factory Brent team have also been busy with our first round of pop-up Fixing Factory events. Alongside TRAID we met members of the public, discussed all things repair and e-waste, and of course fixed a bunch of laptops! Did you spot us at Brent Civic Centre, St Margarets Eco Fair (Twickenham), or Hounslow Repair Cafe (Treaty Centre)? See below for upcoming events
How’s Camden fixed right now?
We’re achingly close to securing premises for the first Camden Fixing Factory! We should have more to say in the very near future, and will be calling out for volunteers of all skill levels and experience - keep your eyes peeled.
The Camden Fixing Factory team had a great time meeting hundreds of local residents at the Alma Street Fair back in June. We crowdsourced your fixing needs onto a huge sheet of paper, and made them into an Instagram reel.
Fix the date
Note: other events are being planned with local partners - check our website and social media for updates
Saturday 3rd September - Dr Laptop session - our popular advice and repair sessions are now an established fixture in Brent, running on the first Saturday of the month - Come down to receive a FREE diagnostics check and repair advice on your laptop or tablet from our expert volunteers - you’ll will need to book, tickets here
Sunday 11th September - we’re delighted to be taking part in York Rise Street Party - this vibrant Camden event boasts stalls, music, food & drink, theatre and art - as well as a ‘Green Street’ where of course you’ll find us - we look forward to saying hello!
24th September to 2nd October - Great Big Green Week promises to be huge this year, and we’ll be holding a range of events to celebrate it - details coming soon!
Saturday 1st October - Dr Laptop session, book here for October
Ways to support the Fixing Factories
Volunteer: if you or your team are interested in volunteering at Brent or Camden Fixing Factories or our pop up events in any capacity then drop us a line at hello@fixingfactory.org or fill in our contact sheet
Donations: If you’d like to donate laptops or tablets, see here. Once Camden Fixing Factory is up and running we’ll be accepting donations of consumer electronics and electronic test and repair equipment
We’ll be back soon with more updates and ways you can get involved.
Thanks,
The Restart Project team (on behalf of all Fixing Factory partners)