We are mainly run by volunteers and below are details of the range of roles which cover the Library of Things and Repair Café. If you don’t feel any of them quite match what you’d like to offer, please get in touch.
Volunteer
Visual Merchandiser
Current need: flexible hours
We have wonderful windows in our new unit in Cascades and want to make the most of them to draw people in and to consider borrowing items from our Library of Things. We’re looking for someone creative with some knowledge of visual merchandising to help us regularly create new displays in the window and in an area inside our Hub.
This role will involve designing, creating and installing our window and inside display areas.
The hours are flexible, but part of your time would need to be done during our Hub opening hours (we’re open Weds, Fri & Sat 10 – 1 & Thurs 1 – 4).
Content Creator
Current need: flexible hours
Our projects have Instagram and Facebook accounts and we’re looking for someone to help develop content to inspire people to consider repairing their broken things and borrowing items that they use infrequently.
This role will involve creating images and short reels for our social media channels.
The hours are flexible, but would need to be during our Hub opening hours (we’re open Weds, Fri & Sat 10 – 1 & Thurs 1 – 4).
Front of House
Current need: Thursday 1 – 4 or Saturday 10 – 1
This role is about being friendly, smiley and comfortable talking to people about what we do, helping our members when they come to the hub to borrow and return items, and co-repairers when they come to the hub for a repair slot.
Tasks can include checking out items when members come to collect them, including ensuring IDs are checked on the first borrow and taking payments; checking items back in on return using our online system ‘MyTurn’. As people come in for their repair slots, you’ll explain the process and provide them with paperwork to complete before linking them up with their volunteer repairer, taking donations and making cups of tea. The role involves working alongside other team members.
You’ll be a friendly, confident person who enjoys talking to members of the public and is able to communicate effectively and promote the projects. Ideally, you’ll be able to quickly learn our systems with basic computer skills.
Ideally you will be able to commit to coming to the hub once a week or fortnightly (we’re open Weds, Fri & Sat 10 – 1 & Thurs 1 – 4). We do also need ad hoc people to help cover shifts, so if you’re only available once a month or so, feel free to also contact us.
Library Stock Carer
Current need: Saturday (10 – 1)
Items in the library need a lot of care to keep them in good working order. All electrical items need PAT testing and all items need to be checked to see if they work.
You’ll be checking over items for any damage and also that they work when they come in. You’ll need basic electrical skills and ideally be a competent PAT tester so that you can PAT test items when they are donated. It’s very similar to the repairer role for electrical and mechanical items, but with less face-to-face interaction with members.
Ideally you will be able to commit to coming to the hub once a week or fortnightly (we’re open Weds, Fri & Sat 10 – 1 & Thurs 1 – 4). We do also need ad hoc people to help cover shifts, so if you’re only available once a month or so, feel free to also contact us.
Repairer
Current need: Electrical repair (Saturday 10 – 1), fabric repair (Saturday 10 – 1), leather repair (any availability)
We’re always looking for people with repair skills who are happy to share their knowledge with others. We view those bringing in items as co-repairers and get them involved in repairing their item, as much as possible. Co-repairers sit at the table with the volunteer repairer to help and/or learn about their item and fixing it.
We have volunteers who are good at fixing electrical, mechanical, wood, jewellery, clocks, clothing, leather and other things.
Our monthly Repair Café sessions are currently held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, and we offer repair sessions in our hub in Cascades on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. You will be able to do weekly, monthly or ad hoc sessions depending on your availability.
Workshop Facilitator
We’re run ‘How to’ workshops at the hub and are looking for skilled people, willing to share their knowledge with the general public. Whether that’s about basic DIY skills or using a power tool, sewing machine, or about upcycling. Our aim is to help people reduce waste.
Typically it can take a few hours to plan a workshop and the workshops themselves will typically last for around 90 minutes. And workshops could be done as one-offs or frequently.
If you’re interested in helping develop our workshops, we’d love to hear from you.
Fundraising – Online Selling
Current need: FULL, if you’re interested you will be added to our waiting list
We have a number of items that have been donated to the Library but that are no longer needed or are surplus to requirements that we would like to sell online to raise money for the charity.
This role will involve identifying the best place to sell the item to make the most money, photographing, listing, selling, packaging and posting the item.
The hours are flexible, but part of your time would need to be done during our Hub opening hours to access the items (we’re open Weds, Fri & Sat 10 – 1 & Thurs 1 – 4).
