enfinium, a leading UK energy from waste operator, has today announced it has awarded £6,051 to four Repair Cafés across Kent to support and expand their operations. The grant funding has been allocated to Folkestone Repair Café, Gravesham Repair Café, Dover Repair Café and Canterbury Repair Café, all situated near enfinium’s Kemsley facility in Kent.
The funding will support the work of the four Repair Cafés, enabling them to continue repairing faulty household items, diverting waste from landfill and helping residents keep cherished possessions for longer.
Repair Cafés play an important role in supporting local communities by offering free repair services for a wide range of household items, including electrical goods, textiles, furniture, bicycles and small appliances. In addition to reducing waste, they help people save money, learn practical repair skills and connect with volunteers who share a passion for sustainability.
One of the beneficiaries, Canterbury Repair Café, will use its funding to support the Canterbury Youth Repair Pilot: The Next Generation of Fixers. The initiative aims to help address the growing repair skills gap by inspiring and training young people to repair everyday items. Through the project, Canterbury Repair Café volunteers will mentor youth leaders and Design and Technology teachers, helping them deliver practical repair activities in schools and youth groups.
Since the Repair Café Support Fund launched in March 2024, enfinium has provided more than £55,000 in funding to local Repair Cafés, helping communities repair and reuse thousands of items that might otherwise have been thrown away. The funding has supported a range of projects, from volunteer training and community engagement activities to initiatives designed to inspire the next generation of repairers. By extending the life of everyday products, Repair Cafés play a vital role in reducing waste, supporting the circular economy and helping households save money.
Philip Curds, Head of ESG & Sustainability at enfinium, said: “Repair Cafés provide a valuable service to their local communities by helping people extend the life of everyday items and reducing unnecessary waste. We’re particularly pleased to support Canterbury Repair Café’s Youth Repair Pilot, which will help young people develop practical repair skills while encouraging a culture of repair and reuse from an early age. By supporting Repair Cafés across Kent, we’re helping communities embrace more sustainable habits and reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise be thrown away.”
Rob Robinson, Circular Economy Manager, at Kent County Council, said: “Across Kent, Repair Cafés are helping residents reduce waste, save money and build stronger community connections. Their volunteers provide an invaluable service, giving household items a second life and helping people make the most of the things they already own. Support from initiatives such as enfinium’s Repair Café Support Fund helps ensure these community projects can continue to grow and thrive, normalising repair and reuse amongst our residents.”
Alister Brady, Lord Mayor of Canterbury, said: “The Canterbury and Whitstable Repair Cafés are helping residents reduce waste, save money and build stronger community connections. Their volunteers provide an invaluable service, giving household items a second life and helping people make the most of the things they already own. Support from initiatives such as enfinium’s Repair Café Support Fund helps ensure these community projects can continue to grow and thrive.”
Helen Howard and Mike Blamires at Canterbury Repair Café, said: “We’re delighted to receive support from enfinium for our Repair Café. The funding will help us work with schools and youth groups to give young people hands-on experience of repairing everyday items, while building confidence, problem-solving skills and environmental awareness. We hope the project will inspire the next generation of fixers and show that repairing can be both rewarding and have a positive impact on the community.”
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About enfinium
enfinium is a leading UK energy from waste operator with five operational sites in the UK, in West Yorkshire, Kent and Flintshire, and one in construction. enfinium diverts 2.7 million tonnes of unrecyclable waste from climate-damaging landfill, putting it to good use by turning it into home grown energy, enough to power 600,000 UK homes. enfinium’s ambition is to transform its facilities into local ‘decarbonisation hubs’ powered by the millions of tonnes of unrecyclable waste the UK will produce for decades to come. Using existing energy from waste infrastructure, enfinium could contribute to heat networks, produce electrolytic hydrogen, or use carbon capture technology to provide durable, high quality carbon removals which will be critical for the UK to achieve net zero by 2050. For more on enfinium, please visit www.enfinium.co.uk.
