An artist is aiming to launch a monthly 'Repair Cafe' in Lancaster and Morecambe hoping to share skills and reduce waste.
Sara Dobson has set up a Facebook group called 'Lancaster and Morecambe Repair Cafe' to rally support for the project.
The Repair Cafe is designed to eliminate waste, by bringing together the community to fix items, and share skills and tools to enable future generations to repair their own wares and encourage a more sustainable future.
The first session will be held at North West Patient Liaison Services in Middleton on Tuesday September 10.
Sara said: "I have spent many years researching around the topic of happiness, from Aristotle to Adam Smith and more recently Patrick Grant.
"We live in a society where our happiness is often measured by our wealth. And the more we acquire, the more we want.
"Almost 14m tonnes of waste goes to landfill each year in the UK alone. Big brands are producing thousands upon thousands of plastic clothing, cheap furniture and much more.
"It saddens me enormously and I want so much to facilitate change.
"Repair Cafes aren’t a new phenomenon, but something desperately needing more of. Let’s share skills, learn new skills and stop the landfill!
"I hope to have multiple venues across Lancaster and Morecambe, making it accessible for everyone. Each cafe will run monthly.
"I’m looking for help with skills, donations and even if you can help serve teas and coffee at each event."
Sara said the idea has so far had a great response on Facebook, with people coming forward who are passionate about fixing, making and recycling, hoping to be involved.
She said she'd also had messages from "older folk who haven’t got the mobility or dexterity to repair things, they once could".
"For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a curious mind, with a preference for repairing things to its original state," she said.
"From old Walkmans and watches, to furniture, engines and lots more.
"There’s a huge sense of accomplishment and pride I get from it.
"Over the years, I have felt torn between my passion for social sciences and my love of the arts. It’s only relatively recently, that I have find the perfect fusion of these, in being able to use my skills to make a positive change in our communities.
"The Repair Cafe seemed like a very timely and important contribution to our community and community means a great deal to me.
"I have two sons who have largely followed in my footsteps and I often watch them with that same curious mind, preferring to fix and repair or purchase old items and save them from landfill.
"My boys are a constant reminder that this kind of initiative is important to the future of our social, economic and environmental society.
"Lastly, I am humbled by the response to the Repair Cafe and want you all to know how amazing your contribution is to everyone involved."
If you are interested in getting involved, the Lancaster and Morecambe Repair Cafe page can be found HERE.
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