Fixfest UK 2023 Programme

Fixfest UK 2023 Programme

We’re delighted to announce an exciting programme for Fixfest UK in Cardiff. From how we bring repair to our local communities to how we get the whole UK fixing, we’ll dive into a wide range of topics over more than a dozen sessions.

As well as asking the big questions about how we make repair the norm, we’ll also explore more specific topics, such as how to engage young people and alternative models for community repair. You’ll even have the chance to get hands-on with your own repair.

And of course, there are plenty of opportunities for you to bring your own topic as part of the unconference. We’ll explain how that works in the welcome session.

Here is the full list of programmed sessions. Full session details are further below (just click on a session title to scroll down for more information)…

Please note that some sessions may be added, cancelled, moved or changed between now and Fixfest UK.

Full session details

Foyer

Welcome session, 10:00 – 10:40

We’ll begin the day with an interactive welcome session in the main foyer. This will be a chance to get to know the organising team and each other, showcasing the diversity and range of community repair across the UK! We’ll also introduce the structure of the day, the unconference and the pre-scheduled programme.

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unbroken.solutions exhibition, all day

unbroken.solutions presents a photography exhibition on repair and reuse by. Be sure to pick up free zines for yourself and your community groups! Photographs by Mark A Phillips.

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Darning for beginners, 11:45 – 12:30

Learn to fix your holey socks and jumpers the traditional way. Heels/toes/elbows/ moth holes are all fixable with simple technique and a bit of practice. No previous sewing or knitting experience required. All materials supplied but you’re welcome to bring along a threadbare/holey knitted garment to practice on.

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Facilitator:

  • Bernice Parker, Repair Cafe Splott

Note: this session has a maximum size of 8 people. But the darning tools and materials will be available for anyone to use for the rest of the day

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Screwdriver Theatre

Connecting repair to the community – Part 1: panel, 10:45 – 11:30

What does repair look like in our neighbourhoods? How can we work with others locally to bring repair to as wide a range of people as possible? In this panel, we’ll investigate what what partnerships can look like between community repair groups, local authorities, universities, businesses and other actors, and how together we can drive behavioural change and cultivate local ecosystems of repair.

Speakers:

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Facilitator:

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Connecting Repair to the Community – Part 2: workshop, 11:45 – 12:30

In this workshop, we’ll dive deeper into the themes and questions raised in the previous panel session. You will have a chance to join a smaller discussion group alongside one of the panelists to focus on a particular question or topic raised. At the end, we’ll share our key points along with practical steps that we can take to build, expand or strengthen partnerships in our local communities.

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Normalising Repair – Part 1: panel, 13:30 – 14:15

What it will take to make repair and reuse the default response to broken products for people in the UK? In this panel session, we’ll zoom out from the hyper-local level to discuss how we can normalise repair nationally. From on-the-ground work in communities through to government policy, how can we change behaviours, attitudes, business practices and economic structures and lower barriers to repair? And how can we work together in a holistic way to address these?

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Normalising repair – Part 2: workshop, 14:15 – 15:30

In this workshop, we’ll dive deeper into the themes and questions raised in the previous panel session. You will have a chance to join a smaller discussion group alongside one of the panelists to focus on a particular question or topic raised. At the end, we’ll share our key points along with practical steps that we can take to coordinate as a national movement to make repair the norm across the UK.

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How can we get decision makers interested in repair? (workshop), 15:30 – 16:15

We know that most people would love it to be easier to repair their things. We need political support for reuse and repair to thrive, but decision makers just aren’t seeing it as a priority. How can we get decision makers to get excited about repair and reuse, and to champion policies that will help everyone to keep their things in use for longer? We’ll explore tactics for those that are happy working with MPs and councillors (like the new Repair and Reuse Declaration) as well as less political approaches.

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Closing plenary, 16:30 – 17:00

To wrap up Fixfest UK 2023, we’ll all gather to recap what’s happened, key topics discussed and any next steps that we’ve identified throughout the day.

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Wrench room

A Journey of Repair Data, 10:45 – 11:30

We’ll talk about the journey of community repair data – from the beginning, when data is collected at community repair events, all the way through to how it is combined and analysed to feed in to policy and campaigning for the right to repair. We’ll also have a breakout discussion on how people are collecting their own repair data and share tips and tricks with each other.

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Engaging the next generation with repair, 11:45 – 12:30

Engaging children and young people has long been an important topic for the community repair movement. How do we ensure repair skills and the love of repair are passed down to the younger generations? In this workshop, we’ll first hear from a few people working on answers to these questions before moving into group discussions to dive deeper into this topic.

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Sharing libraries & repair, 13:30 – 14:15

Over the last few years, the number of community repair groups and sharing libraries in the UK has increased dramatically. Increasingly, community groups are running both repair events and sharing libraries. This workshop will look at how this works in practice and the ways in which sharing libraries and repair can complement each other. We’ll hear from those doing this work in practice and then open the floor to wider and deeper conversations.

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Dedicated repair spaces, 14:15 – 15:00

Pop-up repair events are our bread and butter. But a number of groups around the UK are also running spaces dedicated to community repair. From the high-street to waste and Reuse and Recycling centres, what can we learn from these experimental spaces and what alternative approaches to repair do they offer their local communities? We’ll hear the experiences of a few different projects before moving into group discussions to explore this topic in more depth.

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How to avoid needing repair yourself, 15:30 – 16:15

How do we manage to keep going and not burnout; keep hopeful amidst all the bad news. This session will be interactive and you’ll leave with some practical things to help keep you running the long race.

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Pliers room

Ask an insurer, 10:45-11:30

Getting insurance can be one of the biggest barriers for community repair groups. In this session, John from Wessex Insurance will be sharing the work he’s been doing in this area and answering your questions from an insurer’s perspective.

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Unconference, 11:45-12:30, 13:30-14:00, 15:30-16:15

Got something you’d like to share? A question you’d like to explore? As part of the unconference, you can run your own session! From 5-miniute lightning talks to longer, more in-depth sessions, you’ll be able to sign up for a slot in the Foyer throughout the day. Be sure to check the unconference programme in the Foyer regularly to see what’s going on. Learn more about the unconference in our Guide to Fixfest UK.

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Turning the collar (documentary screening) + Q&A with the director, 14:15-15:15

Reflecting on our material relations with objects, through processes of fixing and mending. ‘Turning the Collar‘ (2022) takes the form of a road trip around the rural county of Westmeath, Ireland. On the journey craft, restoration, and repair professionals speak about their work. Touching on the values that underpin what we choose to care for and mend, the ‘Turning the Collar’ highlights the poetic and situated nature of such work and the joys and struggles that skilled trade professions now face. Closing reflections speak to planned obsolescence, the global Right to Repair movement and associated changes in law and legislation.

Director/Narrator: Teresa Dillon. Camera/Editing: Matt Boyd. Sound: Gareth Anton Averill. Graphic Inserts: Marta Celio. Produced: Repair Acts, Ireland, Alma Clavin, University College Dublin. Funded: Creative Irelands’ Climate Actions Programme, 2022-23. Partners: University College Dublin & Westmeath County Council. Supported by: DCRC & School of Art and Design, University of the West of England.

Watch the trailer here.

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Fixfest UK 2023 is…

Brought to you by

The Restart Project

Repair Cafe Wales

In collaboration with

Community Repair Network

Funded by

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

Sponsored by

SUEZ