Richmond Sustainability Forum brings repairs and reuse to life at The Fixery

More than 200 people gathered at Grove Gardens on Saturday to attend the eighth Richmond Sustainability Forum and explore The Fixery – Richmond’s new repair and reuse hub in the recently refurbished Grove Gardens Chapel.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, said: “Residents, volunteers, businesses, and community groups came together to waste less and make better use of what we already have, through restoration and repair.

“Some were attending their very first Forum. Others have already become regular visitors to The Fixery. For anyone interested in practical climate action, this is an excellent place to take your next step. The atmosphere is friendly, the chapel is fascinating, and the setting of the beautiful Old Burial Ground is a natural tonic for the soul. Come along, bring a neighbour, friend or family member and join Richmond’s growing repair and reuse community.”

Saturday’s event explored the theme of 'reinventing resources', with spotlight talks from some of our knowledgeable partners. Twickenham Repair Café shared impressive statistics on items repaired and savings residents have achieved compared to buying new. Mary’s Living and Giving in Kew highlighted the beauty and longevity of vintage clothes. Library of Things urged us to borrow rather than buy household tools and equipment that we might only use once, and the Council’s waste team gave tips on recycling and reuse.

Meanwhile, Dr Bike serviced bikes, the Party Kit Network explained the advantages of hiring rather than buying partyware, Habitats and Heritage offered seed planting opportunities in recycled newspaper, and Emma Howcroft outlined the new Box Walks initiative - informative nature walks linking historic red phone boxes that have been lovingly refurbished around the borough.

The chapel interior buzzed with skilful volunteers engaged in intricate repairs: fixing toasters, re-stitching worn-out tote bags, and bringing an 80-year-old Singer sewing machine back to working life.

The Fixery’s regular volunteers were on hand to help at the clothes swap, the Work and Play Scrapstore, and the Pupils Profiteco-household product stall. Tea, coffee, and home-baked goods were provided by volunteers from the People Hive.

Grove Gardens Chapel is a 150-year-old, Grade II listed building within Richmond Old Burial Ground. The chapel was recently refurbished by Habitats and Heritage with support from UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Historic England, and Richmond Council. It has now been brought back into community use.

Over the summer, more workshops, community events, and opening days will give residents further opportunities to learn repair skills, discover reuse ideas and take practical climate action locally.

The Fixery is part of our Climate and Nature Strategy 2025-2030, supporting residents and local partners to reduce waste and take part in a more circular community.

Visit The Fixery

The Fixery is open on Fridays and Saturdays, 11am to 4pm, at Grove Gardens Chapel, Lower Grove Road, Richmond. Visitors can bring items for repair, clothes to swap, containers for the refill station, and meet other people interested in sustainable living.

Find out more about The Fixery and follow @the.fixery on Instagram for information about workshops, services, and opening information.

If you’ve got repair skills, want to bake goods for The Fixery, or want to welcome visitors, contact us at thefixery@richmond.gov.uk to join our volunteering community.