Skill seekers

Whether you’re looking to salvage a beloved belonging or save some money, being able to repair things yourself can be both useful and fulfilling. Essex residents report a lack of skills and confidence as one of the main barriers to repairing their items. 

If you have an item to repair but don’t know how, we have put together a list of key resources that might help you on your journey of repairing, upcycling, and upskilling. 

Tech-focused skills 

The technology we have in our homes, hands, and pockets contains valuable materials that get wasted when they are put in the bin. Save money and resources by bucking the trend of ‘fast-tech’ and try giving your tech a new lease of life. Check out the handy repair and safety guides provided by The Restart Project to get started.    

Get stuck in with DIY 

While local repair groups are a great way to learn and share skills in a social setting, being able to maintain and repair things in your property can be a great way to save money and reduce waste. Have a look at a YouTube channel like Proper DIY for some informative tutorials for key DIY skills. 

Stitch up your skillset 

From the simple act of repairing your clothes to hand-crafting a gift for your loved ones, having a solid foundation in textiles-based skills will go a long way. The website iFixit is a great directory for all things repair, including many guides on textiles-based repair.  

Visit a local repair business

Alternatively, you may feel that your item would be better repaired by someone with a professional skillset. Instead of throwing your repairable items away, look out for local repair businesses. 

From Timpson to Currys, there are many businesses that offer repair services for a wide variety of your belongings. It can often be cheaper than buying brand new and is a great opportunity to reduce waste and participate in a more circular economy.