We have amazing people in the Repair Cafe Wales Family

As part of a series on getting to know our volunteers, we’ve set a series of questions and our amazing volunteers have answered them ‘virtually’ for us.

Next up in the series is our Social Media Ambassador, Rhys

Q. What is your name, when did you start volunteering with Repair Cafe Wales and in what capacity (role / skill)?

Rhys Jenkins, Repair Cafe Wales, Social Media Champion

Q. Why did you decide to volunteer with Repair Cafe Wales?

My wife introduced me to the organisation and it got me wanting to help. I’m not a fixer but it got me thinking outside of the box and what I could bring to table.

Q. What do you like best about Repair Cafe Wales?

The community spirit. It’s refreshing to see a community coming together for the greater good and helping the environment. I think one of the best things about RCW is how it gets complete strangers talking and connecting. I’ve made new friends from RCW.

Q. What is your favourite part of volunteering with us?

Getting to work with the people who drive the Cafe’s forward, the organisers. Oh and the cake, the cake is always good.

Q. What do you think the repair café events do for the community?

RCW brings people together, its all inclusive and you can feel the community spirit as soon as you walk through the doors!

Q. What has been the most challenging item to repair?

I don’t fix the items, I help come up with social media structure for each cafe and I guess the most challenging thing is connecting and keeping up to date with all the cafe’s across Wales. It is a good headache, because there is so much activity!

Q. Have you gained any skills from the experience?

Yes, confidence. Confidence in making a connection with a complete stranger. Also, my knowledge of the circular economy! It’s something I am taking forward into my day job, which is an event organiser and we are now implementing things I have learnt from RCW.

Q. How does volunteering with Repair Cafe Wales make you feel?

Nervous before I first step through the door, but happy as soon as I speak to the first person I meet. It has an instant calming influence and then I wonder what all the worry was about.

Q. Would you recommend volunteering for Repair Cafe Wales? Why?

Hell yeah, I do recommend it. I think a few of my friends now volunteer and it’s one of those things people are always wanting to get involved in, once they hear about it. Why would I recommend it? Because RCW is a great community, trying to achieve a something good in this world! They need all the help they can get!