Repair Café
In cooperation with the City of Vancouver, SPEC is hosting 11 repair cafes in 2025 in support of the City’s Zero Waste by 2040 goals and SPEC’s Zero Waste Committee education and advocacy programs.
Next Repair Café
All Cafés will run from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM PST. Registration opens on the Monday following the previous month’s Repair Café.
| Date | LOCATION | ROOM | ADDRESS |
| Feb 15 | Hastings Community Centre | Auditorium | 3096 E Hastings St |
| Mar 23 | Trout Lake Community Centre | Grandview & Lakewood | 3360 Victoria Dr |
| Apr 12 | Dunbar Community Centre | Room 006 | 4747 Dunbar St |
| Apr 26 | Strathcona Community Centre | Community Room | 601 Keefer |
| May 17 | Killarney Community Centre | Gym | 6260 Killarney St |
| Jun | West End Community Centre | Ice Rink | 870 Denman St |
| Jul 19 | Hillcrest Community Centre | Rooms 320 & 328 | 4575 Clancy Loranger Way |
| Aug 16 | Union Gospel Mission | Cornerstone | 601 East Hastings Street |
| Sep | Britannia Community Centre | Gym D | 1661 Napier St |
| Oct | Kitsilano Community Centre | Gym | 2690 Larch St |
| Nov | Marpole/Oakridge Community Centre | 990 W 59th Ave |
Stay up to date with registration openings and other SPEC news by signing up to our newsletter:
What to Expect
Due to the overwhelming popularity of our Repair Cafes, Community members are able to book 1 repair appointment slot in the appropriate repair category:
- Bicycles
- clothing/textile
- computers/laptops and tech support
- Electronics – entertainment devices such as radios, DVD player, e-games, etc.
- Small appliances – working divides such as kitchen counter appliances {toaster, mixers, blenders, coffee makers, etc], vacuum cleaner, etc.
Please note:
- Only 1 REPAIR per person per event
- Visitors must sign a waiver of liability to participate
- New replacement parts are not provided by Repair Cafe or volunteer fixers
- We are unable to repair large appliances at this time
- Ensure your item is clean of dirt, food particles or grease. Clothing/textiles should be laundered – Fixers may refuse to repair if the item is not clean
- Computers – repair & tech support: ie) desktops and laptops and
peripherals such as keyboards, mice, headsets, speakers, external
devices.
- Electronics: Home entertainment items including stereos, guitar amps, electric pianos. VCRs. DVD players, and kids’ electronic toys.
- Small appliances: ie) lamps, toasters, foot heaters, hair dryers, and fans.
- Clothing/textiles: ie) shirts, pillowcases, pants, tablecloths. If bringing zipper or button repairs, you must provide your own button/zipper. Not accepted – items requiring alterations, hemming, bag repair, shoes. Some zipper repairs may not be possible due to complexity and time.
- Bicycles – minor repairs and tune ups. Replacement parts such as cables or inner tube, must provide your own part(s)
- General: small, portable items
Unfortunately, not all broken items can be fixed at a repair café. The volunteer repairers will do their best to diagnose and repair your broken item, but if it is unrepairable, or if the repair will take longer than your 30-minute appointment, your repair won’t be possible.
The Repair Cafe has the right to reject any of the following items:
- Items containing lead or asbestos
- Unclean items, such as those with food residue, grease, or dust
- Items containing insects of any kind, dead or alive
- Dirty and unwashed clothing and textiles items
The following items are not accepted for repairs:
- Printers
- Furniture
- Tablets
- Large appliances
- Bags and backpacks
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Sewing machines
- Power washers
- Any clothing item that needs hemming or alterations
- Items that will take longer than 30 minutes to repair
Important note
If you bring an item that is not repairable to a repair event, you must take it back and dispose of the item responsibly.
Get Involved!
Volunteers are integral to the functioning of a repair café. Below are a list of volunteers opportunities that we are currently recruiting for.
How to sign up to volunteer:
- Sign up: Register as a volunteer through our easy-to-use system.
- Stay connected: You’ll receive a confirmation email and an invitation to volunteer at the next Repair Cafe.
- Flexibility: After each event, you’ll get an email to sign up for the next month’s Cafe. You can choose the dates that work for you, or choose to not register for certain months.
- On your own terms: You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time if your availability changes—no questions asked!
No matter your skill level, whether you’re handy with tools, great at sewing, or just eager to lend a hand, there’s a place for you at our Repair Cafes. Join us in making a positive impact by keeping items out of the landfill and building a more sustainable community!
Link for 2025 volunteer registration will go live soon.
Registration/ Check-in volunteers are the first people to interact with participants when they enter the Repair Café. Tasks include:
- Greet visitor at the entrance and confirm their appointment on the guest list
- Ask visitor to complete waiver form and confirm item being repaired
- Review House Rules with guest
- Ensure item being repaired is clean – instruct visitor to clean food particles, dust, etc.
- Introduce visitor to their repair volunteer
- Ensure data is collected before visitor leaves
Event support volunteers help to ensure the event is running smoothly through the day. Tasks include:
- Set up tables and chairs
- Prepare coffee and refreshment table
- Post directional signs
- Help with Repair Data collection
- Put away tables and chairs post event
- Collect directional signs
- Pack refreshment supplies
- Help transport Event Supplies, if needed
Fixers (repairers) volunteers are handy and like to share their knowledge with community members.
We particularly need fixers who are handy with:
- Electronics
- Computers/tablets
- Small appliances
- Clothing/textiles
- Bikes
Apprentice Fixer
Apprentice Fixer Learn alongside an experienced fixer.
