The numbers are in: Fixing Factories work.
A repaired toaster might not seem world-changing. But when someone learns how to fix something for the first time, saves money they couldn’t afford to spend, meets neighbours in a welcoming community space, or stops another electronic item from ending up in landfill — that small repair becomes part of something much bigger.
Over the past year, we’ve been gathering impact data from our workshops, community repair sessions, and volunteers. And now, we can clearly see what many of us already felt - the Fixing Factory model works - for people, for communities, and for the climate.
A huge thank you to everyone who’s supported this project, whether you’ve volunteered your time, booked onto one of our workshops, or given a donation to keep the Fixing Factories open, you have made this possible.
Here is a rundown of what we’ve achieved together…
Jump to: [climate action][skills for life][stronger communities][easing cost of living]
Outcome 1: Reducing waste and tackling climate change
Fixing Factory team standing behind a number of electronic items that they have fixed and saved from going to waste.
Repair has massive potential to cut carbon emissions, by reducing the power and energy needed to make new things when we have plenty of things already.
Electronic waste is now one of our fastest growing waste streams. Modern electronics are too often treated as disposable - even when they could be repaired with the right tools, knowledge, or support. Every item repaired means less waste, less extraction of raw materials, and fewer emissions from manufacturing something new - so giving people the help they need to keep their electronics working for longer has real environmental impact.
In the last three months alone, our Fixing Factories have helped prevent 540kg of electronic waste.
That’s the equivalent of around 2,700 smartphones - and almost 7 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
This shows that small fixes really do add up. When people come together, to take small, local actions, we can have meaningful climate impact.
Outcome 2: Giving people practical skills for life
Workshop participant repairing a radio at Hackney Fixing Factory
One of our core goals has always been making repair feel accessible. We want people to leave our workshops feeling more confident, more capable, and more connected to the objects they use every day. And the data shows that’s happening:
86% of people attending our Fixperience workshops or volunteering with us say they’re likely to use their new knowledge to fix things in the future.
“It’s so fantastic and I would recommend it to everyone. Should be part of the national curriculum!”
Hundreds of people come and fix with us, and leave with practical repair skills they can carry into everyday life - skills that save money, reduce waste, and give them the confidence to help out their friends and family anytime something breaks.
Outcome 3: Building stronger communities
Workshop participants working together to fix a kettle.
Right from the start, we envisioned the Fixing Factories would be more than a venue for free repairs and workshops. We wanted them to be local hubs, where people could meet neighbours, share skills, and feel part of something positive.
So we’re really excited to learn that, in the past year:
Three quarters of people attending our activities say the Fixing Factory makes them feel more connected to their communities.
It turns out, repair is deeply social:
People come to get a kettle fixed and end up having conversations with strangers.
Volunteers share knowledge across generations.
People who might otherwise feel isolated find connection, support, and purpose.
In a time when many people feel disconnected from both their communities and the places they live, spaces like the Fixing Factories matter. We’re excited to be part of the solution.
Outcome 4: Supporting people through the cost of living crisis
Photo of a toaster with Fixing Factory ‘FIXED’ label.
For many people, repair isn’t just sustainable — it’s essential.
At the Fixing Factory, we are passionate about making sure we can offer a free repair service for those who need it.
Every time you pay to attend one of our repair workshops, or give a donation to our work, you make it possible for us to offer our free Community Repair service - thank you! Your support helps people keep vital items working when replacing them simply isn’t an option. We’ve just learned that …
Around 1 in 3 people using our free community repair service are unwaged.
And someone who got something fixed at one of our free Community Repair sessions earlier this year told us:
“You’re a lifeline. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
These impact figures belong to all of us.
We want to say thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time, attended a workshop, brought something in to get fixed by our team, and donated money to keep us fixing. We honestly couldn’t do any of this without you.
With continued support, our Fixing Factory project can grow far beyond where it is today.
We’re on a mission to put a Fixing Factory on every high street in the UK - creating places where people can learn skills, reduce waste, support each other, and build stronger communities together.
Thank you for being part of this.
Love what we’re doing?
Our Fixing Factory project relies on donations from people like you. If you can, please consider donating just £3 a month to support our work.