Volunteer Guidelines

These guidelines are intended to help volunteers provide a welcoming, safe, and practical service at each Repair Cafe. Volunteers should always use good judgement and work within their skills and the event’s agreed safety procedures.

1. Be welcoming, respectful, and patient with all visitors, volunteers, and venue staff.
2. Help visitors learn where possible by explaining the repair process and encouraging them to take part safely.
3. Only attempt repairs you are competent and comfortable to carry out.
4. Follow all event safety procedures, including instructions from the coordinator or designated safety volunteer.
5. Keep your work area tidy and free from trip hazards, spills, and unnecessary clutter. 
6. Use tools, soldering equipment, and test equipment safely, and wear appropriate protective equipment when needed.
7. Do not work on dirty, hazardous, unsafe, or unsuitable items; volunteers may refuse any repair at their discretion.
8. For electrical items, unplug before opening where possible, use safe testing methods, and do not bypass safety features.
9. If an electrical item requires formal safety testing before leaving, ensure it is checked by a qualified person at the event.
10. Do not guarantee that a repair will succeed or that an item will remain functional after it leaves the Repair Cafe.
11. Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, or safeguarding concerns to the coordinator immediately.
12. Do not take visitors’ items away for private repair unless the event expressly allows it and clear arrangements have been agreed.
13. Respect privacy and handle any personal information or device data carefully and confidentially.
14. At the end of the session, switch off equipment, clear your area, and return shared tools and materials.
15. Raise any concerns or suggestions with the event coordinator

If you are ever unsure whether a repair is safe, appropriate, or within scope, stop and check with the event coordinator before continuing.

Regarding the storage of personal information:

1. Data is collected and stored by UHRC expressly to facilitate your participation as a volunteer with UHRC.  Data is secured, encrypted and stored as required under New Zealand law.  
2. You may request to view and correct the data stored at any time, by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  UHRC will provide an email copy of the data to the email address registered in our records with reasonable urgency and to our best endeavours.
3. Personal identifying data will be destroyed with reasonable urgency and to our best endeavours upon your request when you advise us you are ceasing participation as a volunteer with UHRC.
4. Your lodging a Volunteer Application Form with us indicates your approval of UHRC collecting and storing the data you provide under these conditions.

What is a Repair Cafe?

The Upper Hutt Repair Café is a volunteer group that organizes events where neighbours help neighbours learn to repair. Our events are held at the Baptist Church on the corner of Fergusson Drive and Milton Street, Trentham, Upper Hutt 

What do we repair?

Anything that you can physically carry, such as electrical items, sewing machines, tables, chairs, bicycles for maintenance, mending and sewing, jewellery repairs and ceramics. Please check Facebook (Facebook/UpperHuttRepairCafe) for our next event. It will confirm the repair skills that we have available!

If you think you have an unusual item, or just want to check if we can help, contact us by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and we'll do our best to make sure we are prepared.

Read our House Rules

Please use our Contact Form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for further details or if you would like to volunteer with us at Repair Cafe.

Do you want to save stuff from being thrown away?

Are you keen to extend the useful life of things? 

Are you interested in passing on your skills to others?

We are looking for fixers and volunteers of all kinds! If you enjoy repairing things and helping others learn how, we invite you to join us as a volunteer fixer at the Repair Café. Your repair skills in fixing household items such as computers, electronics, small appliances, small furniture, clothes, jewellery, books, bikes and more, are all welcome.

We are also looking for volunteers to provide general support at our events or behind the scenes. Tasks to help with include event set-up, refreshments, visitor registration and guides, graphic design, communication and marketing, photography/video, etc. We’d love you to join our volunteer community. Your skills and drive to make repairs and/or help others learn how to repair are invaluable assets.

The Upper Hutt Repair Café Trust Board is also seeking volunteers. They’re especially looking for help with marketing at Board level and with setting up an education capability at events - perfect for anyone who is interested in sustainability while working in a friendly team environment. If you’re interested, get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.'

Read our Guidelines

Please use our Contact Form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for further details or if you would like to volunteer with us at Repair Cafe.