Organisation Name:
Repair Cafe Tang
Organisation's Cause(s):
Education & Learning
Environment / Green Spaces
Local Community
Men
Mental Health
Poverty
Women
Location of voluntary activity:
Tang Hall Community Centre, Fifth Ave, Tang Hall, York YO31 0UG
When are volunteers needed: Second Saturday of every month 10-12 noon, although there is no level of commitment needed, just come as you wish and are able.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Admin / Office Support
Community Work
Customer Service
Education
Engineering
Event Planning Support
Event Support
Finance Support
Fundraising
Greeter / Welcomer
Marketing & Communications Support
Practical work & DIY
Teaching / Training
Role description:
Volunteer fixers and greeters are the backbone of the Repair Cafe Tang. If you want to share your craft, electrical, textiles or bike knowledge by helping to repair household items (anything from toasters to toys!) or perhaps support visitors by welcoming, chatting and helping with administration you will be welcome.
Greeters are the first point of contact for any customers to the repair cafe on the day.
- They help with the registration process and fill in fixer tickets which determine which fixer will be allocated.
- They introduce the customers to the fixer.
- They take the opportunity to take a photograph of any fixed items for use in our social media.
- They may chat to customers who are waiting, making them feel welcome.
- Fixers work with others in the team by greeting individual customers, learning what the problems may be with their item and considering what action could be taken.
- They complete the necessary repair using tools whilst with the customer, perhaps taking the opportunity to share what they are doing and what will be needed. Sometimes items cannot be repaired and will be returned to the customer for disposal.
- Fixers are asked to complete a fixer ticket that explains what they have done for our records.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
Fixers:
- competent in their area of expertise - all fixers are asked when they start to fill in a brief skills inventory so that we can ensure that we direct the right customers to the right fixer.
Example skills include:
- Basic electronics - diagnosing power issues, replacing components, soldering, reading simple schematics etc
- Hand tool confidence eg screwdrivers, pliers, multimeter, glue, clamps etc
- Sewing and textiles - hemming, zipper replacement, simple fixes
- Appliance troubleshooting eg toasters, lamps, kettles, fans, coffee machines etc
- Wood and furniture repair - tightening joints, gluing, sanding, small structural fixes
Greeters:
- A friendly and approachable demeanour, happy to chat and smile to customers as they arrive and during their stay.
- Active listening - understanding what somebody has brought and what they hope for
- Clear, friendly explanations about the cafe, what to expect, wait times etc
- Organised and able to fill in some very brief paperwork for our records
- Love working as part of a wider team (we're a lovely bunch of volunteers)
General:
- Non-judgemental
- Patient
- Encourage participation
- Keen to work as part of a team of volunteers
- Willingness to learn from other fixers and share knowledge and experience
- Collaborative
Will there be a DBS check? No
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
One-off Volunteering
Ongoing Volunteering
Short term Volunteering
Skilled Volunteer
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
Examples of skills/experience include:
- Continued practice with their hands-on repair experience and diagnostic thinking
- Learning from others - we have some tremendous volunteers which a wealth of knowledge and experience that they are happy to share
- Building good communication and people skills eg explaining technical ideas in plain English; coaching someone through their own repair
- Team working and leadership - all members are involved in shaping and developing the long term development of the Repair Cafe
- Sharing the environmental impact of repair, participating in the circular economy in a really tangible way
- Building local community connections, we have strong links with the Tang Hall Community Centre and the York Food Circle market.
- Bringing joy in helping others and pride in the work we are doing.
How to get involved:
By all means call and say hello at our regular Repair Cafe Tang on the second Saturday of each month at Tang Hall Community Centre or drop us an email at repaircafetang@gmail.com
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 31-03-2026