A group of 15 Scouts visited the November session of Presteigne’s Repair & Share, accompanied by their leaders and some parents, as part of their DIY badge activities.

They came to see how this community volunteer group helps prevent items from going to landfill, saves money, and shares skills to encourage others to have a go.

The young people learnt about the importance of a circular economy, in which repair, reuse, recycling, and repurposing play key roles. Phrases such as “Don’t Bin It, Fix It” and “Make Do & Mend” were highlighted, contrasting with a linear economy, where items are single-use, break, and end up in landfill, wasting valuable resources.

Presteigne was the seventh Repair Café in Wales when it opened in 2019 under the umbrella of Repair Café Wales. There are now more than 100 across the country. The Scouts saw how broken household items are assessed and repaired, including PAT testing of electrical items. At different tables, volunteers demonstrated repairs on items brought in by the public.

The following week, a session was held at the Scouts’ hut during their weekly meeting. 17 of 18 items brought in - ranging from head torches and toys to garden tools, torn clothing, and a flower pot battery lamp - were successfully repaired. Scouts watched, asked questions, and took part, learning through hands-on collaboration.

Presteigne Repair & Share meets monthly on the third Saturday (except December) at the Youth Centre, Hereford Street, from 10am to 12pm.