Free repair and clothes swap sessions return to Sparkhill and Bournville

Free sessions where people can get clothes mended, swap things they no longer wear and pick up tips on making belongings last longer are coming to Sparkhill and Bournville next month.

The Repair and Share Hub is run by the environmental charity ecobirmingham at the Springfield Project in Sparkhill. It offers simple clothing repairs, a swap rail and advice from volunteers on looking after the things people already own.

When and where

The next Sparkhill session will be held on Thursday 19 November from 1.15pm to 3.15pm at the Springfield Centre on Springfield Road.

A separate session is planned for Thursday 5 November from 1.30pm to 4pm at the Hub on the Green in Bournville.

Entry is free. Booking ahead is encouraged, although people can also just turn up. Places for repairs are limited, so anyone bringing an item to be fixed is advised to arrive early. Organisers recommend checking the latest details before setting off.

Repair, reuse, swap

The organisers want people to ask whether something can be repaired, reused or swapped before they buy a replacement. Clothing is one of the biggest sources of household waste, and most of what is thrown away could be worn again with a simple repair, such as a new button, a stitched seam or a patched knee.

They say the approach could also help families manage the cost of winter clothes and Christmas presents, especially for children who grow out of things quickly.

Other ways to pass things on

Parents looking for second-hand children's clothes, toys and equipment can also use online marketplaces where families sell or give away things their children no longer need. One such platform, Kidora, was founded by a mother of two from North Wales and allows people to list items with no seller fees, with some available for free collection. It is not connected to ecobirmingham's sessions.

Repair cafes and swap events have spread across Birmingham in recent years, run by community groups, libraries and churches. Supporters say they do more than cut waste: they bring neighbours together, pass on skills that many people no longer learn at home, and give older volunteers a chance to share what they know.

The sessions are aimed at anyone who wants to give it a go, whatever their skill level. Volunteers can show people how to do simple repairs themselves, so that the next loose button or split seam can be fixed at home rather than becoming a reason to buy something new.

Ecobirmingham runs projects across the city encouraging people to cut waste, save energy and live more sustainably, and its repair and swap events are part of that work.