International repair day – 18 October 2025

International repair day is a day to celebrate the repair of items in order to prolong their use. This year’s event on 18 October 2025 is a chance to learn more about the benefits of repair and community groups that can provide support.

Repairing items to keep them in use for longer is a very important part of reuse and has many benefits. We might not always have the skills to repair something ourselves, but we all appreciate it if someone else does. If they can guide us through the repair while they’re doing it, so that we’re learning something in the process, that’s even better. It might mean that we can do some repairs ourselves in future, once we’ve been shown how. Others may require more specialist skills and equipment.

We’re fortunate in Leicestershire to have several repair cafes and fixer groups available to help us, and it’s wonderful to see them thriving. These groups are made up of skilled and enthusiastic volunteers who give their time, tools and expertise to help keep our items in use. Most groups offer a variety of repairs, which will usually include mechanical and electrical items, knife or tool sharpening, but some offer additional services, such as textile and clothing repairs, bicycle checks, jewellery or furniture repairs, computer advice, etc

If you’re hanging on to a broken item and wonder if it could be fixed, why not get in touch with a repair cafe near you and find out. Each group runs slightly differently and so check out our Waste Prevention Map to see the location and contact details for cafes in Leicestershire, before getting in touch. It could help save you time and money, and you might learn something new along the way.

International Repair Day is an annual event organised by members of the Community repair network, which links community-based repair groups around the UK. It raises awareness of the benefits of repairing and emphasises the power of repair to bring communities together to reduce our impact on the planet, and to learn new skills.