A PROJECT to help people learn new skills and get their gadgets and other electronic items fixed is back for more.
Local charity Middlesbrough Environment City will be running its second Fix-it Club session in February and all are welcome.
The free club – part of MEC’s One Planet Middlesbrough project – is a chance for people to bring in faulty or broken items for assessment by an experienced ‘fixer’ who will try to diagnose the problem.
By either helping with or watching the repair the public can gain new skills and knowledge on how to potentially fix things in the future.
Fix-it Club’s focus is on fixing problems with electronic and IT devices such as laptops and mobile phones, but lamps, toasters and kettles can also be brought back to life with a bit of know-how.
Not all issues or problems can be fixed on the spot and the ‘fixers’ have a limited amount of spare parts – and if a repair isn’t possible then advice will be offered on the next steps to take.
Joe Heathcote, who attended the first Fix-it Club, said: “I love the idea behind this project and really enjoyed working with Marek to try and fix my faulty amplifier.
“I now feel more confident to have a go at fixing other things in the future as well.”
One Planet Middlesbrough Community Enabler Dewi Howell said: “That much-loved gadget gathering dust on a shelf could have plenty of life left in it with a bit of TLC.
“That’s what the Fix-it Club is all about – we can’t promise to fix everything, but our experts have the skills to give it a go.
“At the first event they were able to fix problems with three laptops, a tablet, a digital radio, a bubble machine and an amplifier.
“Further items also had problems diagnosed and advice was given on how the owner could proceed with repairing them.
“So why not pop along for a chat, and perhaps pick up some new skills into the bargain?”
- The second MEC Fix-it Club takes place from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, February 4 at The Hope Foundation, 1 Grange Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 5BA.
Anyone with the skills and knowledge to help others fix a range of different items is welcome to attend or get in touch with the One Planet Middlesbrough team at Middlesbrough Environment City on 01642 579820 or email oneplanetmbro@menvcity.org.uk